J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2006 Apr;39(4):296-299.

Retroperitoneal Yolk Sac Tumor in Adult Woman Presenting as Spinal Cord Compression and Fatal Pulmonary Tumor Embolism

• Yi HJ
• Bak KH

Abstract

A 35-year-old woman, previously treated for systemic metastases from retroperitoneal yolk sac tumor, presented with progressive painful paraparesis. Preoperative images showed severe cord compression by the metastatic infiltration of the lumbar vertebrae and epidural mass as well as a huge retroperitoneal mass. While performing unremarkable surgery in prone position, the patient abruptly fell into hypoxic insults and circulatory arrest. Intraoperative pulmonary tumor embolism was deemed a cause of death. When planning operative procedure for this dangerous malignancy, scrupulous manipulation is mandated and the possibility of fatal pulmonary tumor embolism should also be addressed and fully discussed preoperatively.

Keyword

Extragonadal (retroperitoneal); Pulmonary tumor embolism; Spinal cord compression; Yolk sac tumor

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Cause of Death
Endodermal Sinus Tumor*
Female
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating*
Paraparesis
Prone Position
Spinal Cord Compression*
Spinal Cord*
Surgical Procedures, Operative
Yolk Sac*