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An aggressive parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma with multiple spinal cord metastases: a case report and review of the literature

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Abstract

Purpose

Spinal cord metastasis from rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is extremely rare, with three cases reported to date. Herein, we report an aggressive case of RMS of the infratemporal fossa who which developed spinal cord metastases during treatment.

Case presentation

A 6-year-old girl presented with an enlarging painless mass around her right ear for 3 months. An enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 5 × x4 × x4.5 5 cm mass on her right infratemporal fossa. A tru-cut biopsy was performed, and histopathologic examination revealed the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. At the time of the diagnosis, cerebrospinal fluid cytology was negative for malignant cells. The patient underwent induction chemotherapy. There was minimal response to chemotherapy, and the patient underwent curative radiotherapy. However, by 12th fraction of RT, the patient developed a progressive weakness on her lower extremity. Spinal MRI revealed multiple gross masses in different parts of the spinal cord. The local radiotherapy was changed toas craniospinal radiotherapy. However, two 2 weeks after the completion of the RT, the patient developed sepsis and expired because of septic shock.

Conclusion

Parameningeal RMS is a peculiar subgroup of RMS, which needs an aggressive approach. Despite aggressive approach, meningeal spread is the most important cause of the treatment failure. We should keept in mind that during the treatment, there can be meningeal spread towards to either the brain or spinal cord; therefore, we should follow -up the patients closely from this aspect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Selcuk University, 42075, Konya, Turkey

    Guler Yavas & Cagdas Yavas

  2. Department of Pathology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Pinar Karabagli

  3. Department of Radiology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Yahya Paksoy

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Hakan Karabagli

  5. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Yavuz Koksal

Authors
  1. Guler Yavas
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  2. Pinar Karabagli
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  3. Yahya Paksoy
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  4. Cagdas Yavas
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  5. Hakan Karabagli
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  6. Yavuz Koksal
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Correspondence to Guler Yavas.

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Yavas, G., Karabagli, P., Paksoy, Y. et al. An aggressive parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma with multiple spinal cord metastases: a case report and review of the literature. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 843–847 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3318-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3318-5

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