DIFFICULTIES IN DIAGNOSING INTRINSIC SPINAL-CORD TUMORS

Thirteen children with intrinsic spinal cord tumours were seen between 1984 and 1995. In only one was this the presumptive diagnosis at refe rral, despite a high incidence of characteristic features. Eight had p resented to their local paediatrician, four to local orthopaedic teams , and one to a general surgeon. Eleven had back pain. Eleven had eithe r spinal curvature or change in gait. The interval between onset of sy mptoms and diagnosis ranged from one week to six years, with a mean of 17.5 months. In nine children symptoms had been present for four or m ore months. In nine, unrewarding investigations had been carried out. This paper highlights typical presenting features of these tumours and how earlier diagnosis can be achieved.