title: Spinal low-grade neoplasms with extensive leptomeningeal dissemination in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to re-appraise paediatric leptomeningeal disseminated spinal low-grade neoplasms putting forward the hypothesis that these tumours may represent a possible distinctive clinico-pathological entity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three children affected by these rare neoplasms are reported, 2 boys and 1 girl aged 40 months, 7 and 12 years respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite treatment, 2 died at 9 months and 9 years, while 1 has survived with stable disease at 24 months after diagnosis. Histologically, these tumours shared the generic histological appearance of low-grade neuroectodermal neoplasms, without any features that allowed them to be included in a specific classification niche. The magnetic resonance imaging of the leptomeningeal dissemination took the form of a thick, diffuse subarachnoidal enhancement involving the brain as well the spine in 2 patients; in 1 patient there was an extensive enhancement along the surface of the brain and of the spinal cord and multiple small cysts, creating the impression of a diffuse microcystic meningoencephalopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients described here and the similar ones found in the literature cannot be easily placed into the present WHO system of classification for central nervous system tumours.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Haematology, Paediatric Neuro-oncology Programme, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perilongo
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardiman
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bisaglia
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rigobello
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calderone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battistella
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burnelli
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giangaspero
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*