[A rare cause of cauda equina syndrome: primary epidural lymphoma].
BACKGROUND
Primary epidural lymphoma is generally manifested by isolated epidural involvement. On rare occasions it can lead to cauda equina syndrome.


METHODS
A 56-year-old man was hospitalized for lumbago, weakness in the legs and sphincter problems. A dorsolumbar MRI revealed that the anterior and posterior peridural space from D11 to L3 was filled by a mass compressing the marrow and compacting the roots. The L2 to L4 laminectomy revealed an extradural tissue leading to the diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma. Metastatic workup demonstrated unremarkable findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary epidural lymphoma accounts for less than 10% of epidural tumours and less than 1% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Its clinical manifestations are related to the tumoral process or involvement of medullar vessels. It can be, but rarely is, manifested by cauda equina syndrome. Diagnosis is based on histological analysis of tissue taken during the decompression laminectomy. Prognosis is relatively good.
Bachmeyer
C
C
Département de médecine interne, Centre Hospitalier Laennec, Bd Laennec, BP 72, 60109 Creil Cedex. claude.bachmeyer@ch-creil.fr
Kazerouni
F
F
Langman
B
B
Daumas
L
L
Hessler
P
P
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone