Background:
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) rarely involves the spine primarily, and if it does, is almost always associated with advanced disease.
Case presentation:
An 8-year-old male presented with a one month history of nuchal pain followed by stiffness and rapidly progressive upper and lower limb weakness. He was seronegative for HIV and EBV. Computed tomography myelogram and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic spine showed a long segment (C2 to T1) complete absence of cerebrospinal fluid signal and mildly enhancing intradural extramedullary lesion with an extradural and right paravertebral muscle extension, respectively. Post-excision biopsy histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of a CD 10+, CD20+, CD45+, Bcl-2+, Ki67+, and EBER in situ hybridization for EBV negative, Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). Cytogenetic analysis showed chromosomal translocations of 8q24. CHOP plus intrathecal cytarabine, methotrexate was given as chemotherapy regimen. 1.8 grays (Gy) per fraction to the local area for an average total dose of 36 Gy was given with a resultant significant clinical improvement.
Conclusion:
Though considered uncommon spinal canal tumors, BL should be in the differential diagnosis, if multilevel involvement is demonstrated on imaging.