title: A 3-month-old infant with upper extremity weakness.
abstract: A detailed history should be obtained for all pediatric patients presenting with acute neurological changes. A thorough physical exam can help narrow the possible etiologies. Prompt imaging can lead to a more precise understanding of the level of neuronal involvement. Neurenteric cysts and fistulas are extremely rare in the pediatric population, with most occurring in the lower cervical and upper thoracic region. Most patients will present with symptoms related to cord or brainstem compression; however, associated infections have been reported. Epidural abscesses are also rare, occurring in the mid-thoracic or lower lumbar region. When there is no communication between the gastrointestinal tract and spinal canal, S. aureus accounts for most of these infections. When gram-negative pathogens, such as E.coli and E. cloacae, are isolated, it is imperative to evaluate for the presence of neurenteric fistulas. Because of numerous anomalies associated with neurenteric cysts, the entire spinal canal should be evaluated completely.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA, USA. rzipkin@chla.usc.edu
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zipkin
mesh_terms: D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D034941:Upper Extremity