Back pain as a manifestation of paraspinal bone cancer in children
Aim: The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess diagnostic difficulties in paraspinal bone cancers as noted in the authors’ centre in 2009–2016. Material and methods: The study was performed in a group of 7 patients aged 3.5–17 years with paraspinal tumours, which constitutes 16.6% (7/42)...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2018-03-01
|
Series: | Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.pimr.pl/index.php/issues/2018-vol-14-no-1/back-pain-as-a-manifestation-of-paraspinal-bone-cancer-in-children?aid=1162 |
Summary: | Aim: The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess diagnostic difficulties in paraspinal bone cancers as noted in the
authors’ centre in 2009–2016. Material and methods: The study was performed in a group of 7 patients aged 3.5–17 years
with paraspinal tumours, which constitutes 16.6% (7/42) of all children with bone cancers treated in the authors’ centre.
The analysis involved: reported symptoms, time from the onset of the first symptoms to the correct diagnosis, type and stage
of cancer, and treatment outcomes. Results: The most common symptom was pain in the lumbosacral region. In all cases,
the first symptoms were considered to be the consequences of musculoskeletal system dysfunction. They persisted for
12–28 weeks before cancer was diagnosed. In this period, none of the children had spine radiography or any other diagnostic
tests performed. The final diagnosis was determined on the basis of a histopathological examination. The most common
were malignant tumours with extensive neoplastic infiltration. Two patients underwent radical surgery, and the remaining
children required additional intensive chemotherapy. Moreover, proton therapy was implemented in 1 case. One patient died
due to tumour progression, a patient with chondroblastoma is still being treated, and the remaining patients are in remission,
but, due to tumour location, the prognosis is uncertain. Conclusions: 1) Cancer must be considered in children with recurrent back pain. 2) Plain radiography should be the basic diagnostic test. 3) Persisting back pain with normal radiography
is an indication for magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, or for extending the range of imaging. 4) Imaging
should be performed prior to rehabilitation for back pain. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1734-1531 2451-0742 |