Presentation Spinal Cord Compression
5.2.2 Differential Diagnosis
Cord compression can be the presenting feature of a new malignancy and patients may have either acute or subacute presentations. Of tumors aris- ing from the extradural space, paravertebral Ewing sarcoma is the most frequent malignancy to cause cord compression Klein et al. 1991 ; Pollono et al. 2003 . Neuroblastoma can also present with cord compression given their origin in the prevertebral sympathetic chain. While less common, primary or metastatic vertebral bone lesions such as osteosarcoma or Langerhans cell histiocytosis have also been associated with cord compression. Pathologic fracture complicating a primary bone lesion may cause the presenting symptoms. Both acute lymphoblastic leukemia ALL and acute myelogenous leukemia AML can present with extramedullary disease that can cause cord compression. Discrete masses com- posed of leukemic cells chloromas or granulocytic sarcomas, are more commonly observed in AML than ALL Mantadakis et al. 2008 ; Olcay et al. 2009 ; Isome et al. 2011 . Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can simi- larly lead to cord compression through direct mass effect Acquaviva et al. 2003 ; Daley et al. 2003 ; Gupta et al. 2009 . Intraspinal tumors in children Fig. 5.1 are most commonly gliomas or ependymomas Huisman 2009 ; Benesch et al. 2010 . Drop metastases from posterior fossa tumors, most notably primitive neuroectodermal tumors PNET; medulloblastoma, can also cause cord compression. Patients with neurocutaneous syn- dromes such as neurofi bromatosis type-1 NF-1 and NF-2, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and tuber- ous sclerosis warrant special consideration when presenting with signs of spinal cord compression given their propensity for various intraspinal tumors such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, ependymoma, hemangioblastoma and astrocytoma, respectively. In the patient with known tumor, new symp- toms of cord compression should raise concern for development of metastatic disease. Patients who have recently undergone a lumbar puncture, particularly in the setting of low platelets or coagulopathy, are at risk for an epidural hema- toma that may require emergent evacuation. A potential mimic of cord compression in the pedi- atric oncology patient is acute onset transverse myelitis. This entity can present with symptoms of weakness, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and a sensory level; magnetic resonance imaging MRI may demonstrate infl ammatory changes Table 5.1 continued Clinical scenario Recommendations Level of evidence b Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome Acute seizure management if present as above 1B Controlling of blood pressure with calcium channel blockers or β -blockers 1B MRI imaging with FLAIR and DWI 1B AMS altered mental status, CT computed tomography, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, LP lumbar puncture, tPA tis- sue plasminogen activator, FFP fresh frozen plasma, IT intrathecal, MTX methotrexate, HC hydrocortisone, IIE ifosfamide- induced encephalopathy, FLAIR fl uid attenuated inversion recovery, DWI diffusion-weighted imaging a See text for full detail b Per Guyatt et al. 2006 ; see Preface Table 5.2 Localization of spinal cord compression by weakness Nerve roots Muscle action and deep tendon refl exes DTRs C3–C5 Diaphragmatic excursion C5–C6 Biceps and brachioradialis DTRs C6–C7 Triceps DTR C8–T1 Hand function L2–L3 Hip fl exion L3–L4 Patellar DTR L4–L5 Ankle dorsifl exion L5–S1 Knee fl exion S1–S2 Ankle plantarfl exion; S1 mediates Achilles DTR within the cord, but no compressive mass. Transverse myelitis has been reported in patients following either intrathecal or high-dose intrave- nous cytarabine Schwenn et al. 1991 .5.2.3 Management
The fi rst step in managing a patient with sus- pected cord compression is involvement of a multidisciplinary team including neurosurgery, neurology, oncology, intensivists and radiation oncology. Frequent monitoring for progression of symptoms is vital, as this can rapidly change the therapeutic plan. Initial steps should be aimed at verifying the diagnosis and attempting to alle- viate compressive symptoms medically while a more defi nitive treatment plan is formulated.5.2.3.1 Imaging MRI of the spine can help narrow the differential
diagnosis, allow for surgical planning and identify potential sites of multifocal disease. The entire spine should be imaged with pre- and post- gadolinium contrast to maximize yield. Brain imaging may also be warranted if the lesions are suspicious for drop metastases or if the patient presents with signs or symptoms of increased intra- cranial pressure such as headache, emesis, hyper- tension with bradycardia, or cranial nerve palsies.5.2.3.2 Corticosteroids
Steroid treatment is employed to relieve any vasogenic edema that may be contributing to cord compression. In the case of ALL and lymphoma, corticosteroids also have a direct antitumor effect that may benefi t the patient in the short term, but ultimately make diagnosis of the underlying malignancy much more challeng- ing. If a hematopoietic malignancy is likely, ste- roids should be given only when urgent diagnostic procedures have been scheduled e.g., bone mar- row aspiration and biopsy, lymph node excisional biopsy. Outside of this scenario, the benefi ts of steroids are thought to outweigh their risks and are routinely used when cord compression is diagnosed, although clinical trials in children are Fig. 5.1 Intraspinal glioma. This 10-year-old patient pre- sented with several weeks of progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness. The T1-weighted gadolinium- enhanced MRI shown in Panel a demonstrates a cystic mass “M” in the upper thoracic spinal cord. The T2-weighted image in Panel b highlights the development of syrinx “S”, seen as bright cerebrospinal fl uid in this sequence, cranial to the mass. Pathology from a biopsy specimen taken at the time of diagnosis was consistent with pilocytic astrocytoma 5 NeurologicParts
» Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Introduction Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» History and Physical Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Defi ning the Risk for Serious
» Initial Laboratory Evaluation Diagnostic Evaluation
» Chest Radiography CXR A supine CXR may identify pleural effusions,
» Computed Tomography CT Radiographic Imaging
» Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI
» Positron Emission Tomography PET
» Aspergillus Galactomannan GMN Biomarkers for Invasive
» 1,3-β- Biomarkers for Invasive
» Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR
» Viral Studies Diagnostic Evaluation
» Invasive Procedures: Diagnostic Evaluation
» Adult FN Guidelines Empiric Management
» Monotherapy Versus Combination Therapy
» Which Monotherapy to Choose A Cochrane review of antipseudomonal beta-
» Alterations in Initial Empiric FN Antibiotic Management
» Outpatient Management of FN Although there remains a lack of one uniform
» Choice of Empiric Antifungal Therapy
» Duration of Antimicrobial Empiric Management
» Endovascular Sources Empiric Management
» Adjunctive Treatment Empiric Management
» Emergence of Resistant Empiric Management
» Red Blood Cell Administration
» Granulocyte Transfusion Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Hemolytic Transfusion Risks of Blood Product
» Infection and Sepsis Risks of Blood Product
» Allergic Reactions Risks of Blood Product
» Febrile Nonhemolytic Risks of Blood Product
» Transfusion-Related Acute Risks of Blood Product
» Transfusion-Associated Risks of Blood Product
» Iron Overload Risks of Blood Product
» Laboratory Risk Factors Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» General Management Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Alkalinization Urinary alkalinization has been a long-standing
» Allopurinol Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, an enzyme
» Rasburicase Rasburicase, recombinant urate oxidase, converts
» Renal Interventions Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Pathophysiology Superior Vena Cava
» History and Physical Exam SVCSSMS should be suspected in a patient
» Imaging Studies The diagnosis of SVCSSMS is often made on
» Other Studies Tissue is required to make a defi nitive diagnosis
» Treatment Superior Vena Cava
» History and Physical Exam Small pericardial effusions are frequently asymp-
» Imaging and Other Studies The presence of a pericardial effusion can be
» History and Physical Exam Many patients with small pleural effusions are
» Imaging Studies When a pleural effusion is suspected, a chest
» History and Physical Exam Patients with pheochromocytoma typically have
» Laboratory Studies The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is best made
» Imaging Studies Clinical Presentation
» Pulmonary Leukostasis Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Presentation Spinal Cord Compression
» Differential Diagnosis Spinal Cord Compression
» Imaging MRI of the spine can help narrow the differential
» Surgery Surgery in spinal cord compression can be uti-
» Radiation Therapy The advantages of external beam radiation ther-
» Outcomes Spinal Cord Compression
» Presentation Altered Mental Status
» Initial Management Altered Mental Status
» Metabolic The metabolic causes of AMS or seizure in pedi-
» Chemotherapy-Associated Neurotoxicity Differential Diagnosis
» Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome
» Outcomes Altered Mental Status
» Initial Management Increased Intracranial
» Soft Tissue A large meta-analysis of published data suggests
» Cerebrospinal Fluid Hydrocephalus is an excess of CSF within the
» Hemorrhage and Thrombosis Differential Diagnosis
» Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Differential Diagnosis
» Presentation of Stroke Cerebrovascular Disease
» Differential Diagnosis Cerebrovascular Disease
» Etiology of Stroke in Pediatric
» Ischemic Stroke After an ischemic stroke is diagnosed, the patient
» Hemorrhagic Stroke Hematomas can expand over several hours from
» Acute Lymphoblastic Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Chronic Myelogenous Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Management of Tumor Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Leukapheresis Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Hyperhydration Other Treatment Modalities
» Hydroxyurea Other Treatment Modalities
» Cranial Irradiation Other Treatment Modalities
» Pseudohyperkalemia Hyperleukocytosis has been noted to cause pseudo-
» Pseudohypoxemia Due to the rapid consumption of oxygen by leu-
» Pseudohypoglycemia Consumption of glucose by excess leukocytes
» Pseudothrombocytosis Leukemic blast lysis can lead to cell fragmenta-
» Transfusion Practice with Other Supportive Care
» Anesthetic Procedures Other Supportive Care
» Neutropenic Enterocolitis Gastrointestinal Infection
» Perirectal Abscess Gastrointestinal Infection
» Gastrointestinal Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Pancreatitis Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Bowel Obstruction Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Abdominal Compartment Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» ALL Risk Factors Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Other Malignancies Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Central Venous Catheters Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Diagnosis Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Nociceptive Pain Types of Pain
» Neuropathic Pain Types of Pain
» World Health Organization Pharmacologic Treatment
» Intermittent Opioid Use Pharmacologic Treatment
» Long-Acting Opioids Pharmacologic Treatment
» Breakthrough Dosing Pharmacologic Treatment
» Opioid Rotation Pharmacologic Treatment
» Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pharmacologic Treatment
» Constipation Side Effects of Opioids
» Nausea and Vomiting Nausea and vomiting are rare opioid side effects
» Pruritus Pruritus is a common side effect of opioid use
» Sedation Side Effects of Opioids
» Confusion and Agitation Renal and hepatic function should be checked
» Respiratory Depression When dosed appropriately, opioids rarely result
» Myoclonus Patients receiving very high doses of opioids for
» Urinary Retention Urinary retention can be caused by any opioid but
» Calcium Channel Blockers Neuropathic Pain
» Serotonin and Norepinephrine Neuropathic Pain
» Tricyclic Antidepressants Neuropathic Pain
» Interventional Techniques Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Vincristine-Related Peripheral Oncology-Specifi c Pain
» Osteonecrosis Oncology-Specifi c Pain
» Post-lumbar Puncture Oncology-Specifi c Pain
» Mucositis Pain Oncology-Specifi c Pain
» Pathophysiology of Emesis Chemotherapy-Induced
» Principles of Emesis Control in the Cancer Patient
» Emetogenicity of Chemotherapy Chemotherapy-Induced
» Dopamine Receptor Antagonists Classes of Antiemetics
» Corticosteroids Classes of Antiemetics
» Cannabinoids The plant Cannabis contains more than 60 differ-
» Other Antiemetic Agents Antihistamines
» Alternative Therapies Ginger Classes of Antiemetics
» Management of CINV Management of CINV Table
» Special Considerations Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting
» Radiation-Induced Nausea Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Initiation The initiation stage occurs immediately following
» Primary Damage Response Pathophysiology of Oral Mucositis
» Signal Amplifi cation Pathophysiology of Oral Mucositis
» Ulceration Ulceration is the phase with the most clinical sig-
» Healing Pathophysiology of Oral Mucositis
» Clinical Course of Oral Mucositis
» Assessment Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Palifermin Prevention and Treatment
» Low-Level Laser Therapy Prevention and Treatment
» Glutamine Prevention and Treatment
» Cryotherapy Prevention and Treatment
» Oral Care Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Oral Infections Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Nutrition Assessment Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Dietary Counseling Nutrition Intervention
» Appetite Stimulants Nutrition Intervention
» Enteral Tube Feeding Nutrition Intervention
» Parenteral Nutrition Nutrition Intervention
» Nutrition and Survivorship Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Management of Neutropenia Hematologic Toxicity
» Management of Thrombocytopenia Hematologic Toxicity
» Management of Anemia Hematologic Toxicity
» Somnolence Syndrome Central Nervous System
» Lhermitte’s Sign Central Nervous System
» Skin Complications Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Oral Mucositis Head and Neck
» Ear Complications Head and Neck
» Laryngeal Complications Head and Neck
» Dysphagia and Esophagitis Gastrointestinal
» Nausea, Vomiting and Anorexia
» Pneumonitis Major Organ Infl ammation
» Pericarditis Major Organ Infl ammation
» Hepatitis Major Organ Infl ammation
» Nephropathy Major Organ Infl ammation
» Cystitis Major Organ Infl ammation
» Risk Stratifi cation Prevention of Bacterial
» Adult Data Antimicrobial Approaches
» Pediatric Data Data regarding the utility of bacterial prophylaxis
» Risks of Prophylaxis Prevention of Bacterial
» Guidelines and Current Usage of Antibacterial Prophylaxis
» Protocols for Line Placement and Care
» Antibiotic and Ethanol Locks
» Chlorhexidine Cleansing Chlorhexidine gluconate CHG is a bactericidal
» Future Directions Prevention of Bacterial
» Risk Stratifi cation Prevention of Fungal
» Approaches to Antifungal Prophylaxis
» Guideline Recommendations for Antifungal Prophylaxis
» Limitations of Current Options for Antifungal Prophylaxis
» Risks of Prophylaxis Prevention of Fungal
» Biomarkers Prevention of Fungal
» Future Directions Prevention of Fungal
» Risk Stratifi cation Prevention of Pneumocystis
» Approaches to PCP Prophylaxis
» Summary of the Recommendations
» Future Directions Prevention of Pneumocystis
» Postexposure Chemoprophylaxis Prevention of Viral Infections
» Suppressive Therapy Prevention of Viral Infections
» Future Directions Prevention of Viral Infections
» Hand Hygiene Infection Control Practices
» Mandatory Vaccination Infection Control Practices
» Hospital Isolation Practices Infection Control Practices
» Visitor Screening Policies Infection Control Practices
» Work Restriction Infection Control Practices
» Cytomegalovirus CMV Status of Transfused Blood
» Treatment of Myelosuppression with
» Prevention of Febrile Neutropenia, Delay
» Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia
» Treatment of Myelosuppression Clinical Usage of Myeloid Growth Factors
» Comparison of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
» Optimal Dosing Adult guidelines recommend dosing of 5 mcgkg
» Route of Administration Optimal Administration of Colony-Stimulating Factors
» Optimal Timing Optimal Administration of Colony-Stimulating Factors
» Erythropoietin Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Interleukin-11 Platelet Growth Factors
» Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists Platelet Growth Factors
» Immune Status Prior Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Immune Status During Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Immune Recovery After Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Immunization Practice Prior Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis
» Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Recommendations
» Hemophilus Infl uenzae Type b
» Inactivated Infl uenza Vaccine Although in a Cochrane review Goossen et al.
» 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Vaccine Seven studies have reported on effi cacy of the
» Live Attenuated Infl uenza Vaccine
» Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Recommendations
» Varicella Zoster Virus Recommendations
» Recommendations Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Treatment of Hypogammaglobulinemia Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Vaccination of Household Contacts
» Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
» External Tunneled Central Venous Catheter
» Implanted Port Types of Central Venous
» Catheter Insertion Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology irantextbook.ir 93df
» Exit Site Infection Infection
» Prevention of Infection Infection
» Drug Precipitate or Lipid Residue Occlusion Thrombotic Occlusion
» Evaluation of Catheter- Related Thrombosis
» Treatment of Catheter- Related Thrombosis
» Special Considerations During Anticoagulation Therapy
» Contraindications of Anticoagulant Therapy
» Skin Antisepsis Catheter Maintenance
» Central Venous Catheter Dressings
» Hub Care Catheter Maintenance
» Central Venous Catheter Flushing and Locking
» Chlorhexidine Bathing Chlorhexidine has been shown to be effective in
» Antiseptic Needleless Connectors and Antiseptic
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