title: Primary intramedullary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in an immunocompetent child.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma is a rare entity. Studies have shown that there is a recent increase in the number of patients regardless of the status of the immunity. High index of suspicion should be kept in all patients with intramedullary tumors. Multidisciplinary approach at the earliest is required for best outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, Pathology and Radiation oncology. Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the case of an 11-year-old boy who presented with paraparesis and sensory loss below T10 level. On imaging, the dorsal spine showed intramedullary lesion mimicking an astrocytoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical decompression of the tumor was done and histopathology showed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type. There were no findings suggestive of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. After complete staging evaluation, we instituted chemotherapy with modified DeAngelis protocol. At 2 years post treatment, he is in complete remission with near normal neurological status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intramedullary spinal cord diffuse B-cell lymphoma in a pediatric age group is very rare and hence requires a high index of suspicion in patients presented with myelopathy. The outcomes are encouraging with current multidisciplinary approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Bhushanam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Linga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Uppin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome