Korean J Hematol.  2007 Dec;42(4):414-418. 10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.414.

A Case of Ganglioneuroblastoma Presenting as Weakness of the Lower Extremities

• Yun DH
• Park KT
• Park BK
• Im YJ
• Hong EK
• Lee KS
• Kim HJ
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2252229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.414

Abstract

Ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare tumor originating from the sympathetic chain. It is intermediate between the highly malignant neuroblastoma and the benign ganglioneuroma. The predilection sites of ganglioneuroblastoma are the retroperitoneum and mediastinum but involvement of the structures around the spinal cord is infrequent. A 4 year-old girl who had progressive weakness in both lower extremities had a tiptoe gait for 2 months. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed a heterogeneous enhancing mass in the right mediastinum and paraspinal areas. A biopsy of the mass confirmed a ganglioneuroblastoma with many neuroblasts and nodules of ganglion cells. This is an unusual case of a child with spastic paraplegia caused by ganglioneuroblastoma of the thoracic cavity.

Keyword

Ganglioneuroblastoma; Mediastinum; Spinal cord; Paraplegia

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Gait
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglioneuroblastoma*
Ganglioneuroma
Humans
Lower Extremity*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mediastinum
Neuroblastoma
Paraplegia
Spinal Cord
Thoracic Cavity

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 T-shine MRI shows a huge paraspinal soft tissue mass with multiple neural foraminal encroachment and epidural involvement in C7 to T5 level (white arrows).

• 

  Fig. 2 Bone scan shows a soft tissue uptake in right paraspinal mass (black arrows).

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  Fig. 3 Undifferentiated neuroblasts (black arrows) and differentiated ganglion cells with abundunt cytoplasm (black arrowheads) are observed in light microscope findings of the tumor mass (H-E stain, ×400).

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