CONGENITAL DUMBBELL NEUROBLASTOMA

Study Design. New babies with neurologic deficits resulting from intra spinal extension of congenital neublastoma is very unusual. Two patien ts with congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma with paraplegia are describe d, and 16 other cases are reviewed. Objective. To study the clinical f eatures and prognosis of congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma. Summary of Background Data. Only 16 cases were found In the literature. Methods. Two girls were diagnosed and underwent surgey. Results. Although no r ecurrence occurred in both patients, Incomplete paresis remained. Corr ective surgery was needed because of the post-laminectomy spinal defor mity in patient 2. Conclusions. Although a high survival rate in patie nts with congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma is encouraging, the poor ne urologic recovery is of great concern. The authors recommend an early diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging and early spinal cord decompre ssion followed by chemotherapy for congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma.