title: Rapid Neurological Recovery Following Partial Surgical Resection of Spinal Glioblastoma Multiforme in a Pediatric Patient Presenting With Complete Paraplegia.
abstract: Pediatric spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme is a rare entity with a poor prognosis often presenting with lower extremity weakness or paralysis. Previous literature suggests that aggressive surgical resection may provide overall survival benefit; however, there is limited concurrent analysis demonstrating neurological recovery following surgical resection. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with complete paraplegia and regained the ability to ambulate independently following subtotal surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. The case demonstrates the balance between meaningful neurological recovery and overall survival when deciding on the extent of resection in cases of pediatric spinal glioblastoma multiforme.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Neurosurgery ‡Pathology ∥Pediatrics §Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital †Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Gabriel N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Grannan
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yanamadala
authors.forename: Ganesh M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Shankar
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dewitt
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puthenpura
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Koffie
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ebb
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: Ann-Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Duhaime
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016138:Walking