title: Epidural spinal compression as an initial presentation of Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) commonly arises in lymph nodes and initial presentation with extranodal disease is rare. We report a patient who presented with progressively worsening back pain, lower extremity weakness and numbness concerning for a myelopathic process of uncertain etiology. MRI revealed an epidural soft tissue mass with cord displacement, for which she underwent resection. Histological analysis of the surgical specimen demonstrated CHL. Further investigation revealed an anterior mediastinal mass, consistent with spread from a more typical location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 5-185, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abu-Bonsrah
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 5-185, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Akwasi Ofori
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Boah
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 5-185, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: rory@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: C Rory
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Tatianna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Larman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Genevieve M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 5-185, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sciubba
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Epidural cord compression; Hodgkin lymphoma; Spine