A patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia who presented with conus medullaris syndrome and review of the literature

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009 Jun;31(6):440-7. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e31819ed24b.

Abstract

In childhood, the conus medullaris syndrome owing to leukemia is rare. Here, a 12-year-old boy with acute myeloblastic leukemia, maxillary mass, and conus medullaris syndrome is reported. A biopsy from the maxillary mass revealed "granulocytic sarcoma." Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging revealed clumped and thickened cauda equina nerve roots, epidural and periradicular diffuse soft tissue, which was enhanced with gadolinium. Cerebrospinal fluid revealed elevated protein but no cells. Chemotherapy and local radiotherapy for both the face and the spine, yielded bone marrow remission and abatement in neurologic and radiologic findings, but he developed bone marrow relapse and died because of sepsis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Face / pathology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Radiotherapy
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / therapy

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor