Paraplegia: an unusual presentation of Ewing's sarcoma.
METHODS
Single-subject case.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the atypical presentation of a rare tumor and difficulties in diagnosis.


METHODS
Spinal cord unit of a rehabilitation and care center in Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
A 22-year-old male patient with paraplegia was admitted to our center for rehabilitation. He underwent various diagnostic procedures to explain his clinical situation.


RESULTS
Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a mass and vertebral destruction. The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal cord compression is an important complication of primary or metastatic malignant tumors. Although it is a late complication in most cases, some tumors including Ewing's sarcoma may present with paraplegia. Trauma may be found in the patient's history. An atypical clinical course in a musculoskeletal or neurological condition should alert us to a possible underlying malignant disease.
Goktepe
A S
AS
Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation and Care Center, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara/Turkey.
Alaca
R
R
Mohur
H
H
Coskun
U
U
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography