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Case Reports
. 2008 Mar;29(3):434-5.
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0924. Epub 2008 Jan 9.

Malignant transformation of a lipomyelocele into a rhabdomyosarcoma?

A M O'Connell  1 , D Allcutt, F Brett, S Ryan
Affiliations
Case Reports

Malignant transformation of a lipomyelocele into a rhabdomyosarcoma?

A M O'Connell et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

We report the unusual transformation of a lipomyelocele to a rhabdomyosarcoma in a 3-year-old boy. A lipomyelocele is not considered pre-malignant, but the possibility of developing such a tumor may represent another reason for close neurological follow-up in patients with spinal dysraphism.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Photograph of a complex ulcerating hemangioma over the sacrum in a full-term neonate on day 1.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Sagittal T1-weighted MR image obtained at 3 months confirms the sonographic finding of the tethered spinal cord (arrowhead) ending in a lipomyelocele (arrow).
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
A, Sagittal T1-weighted MR image at 3 years shows a new large homogeneous mass of low signal intensity (arrow), apparently arising from the lipomyelocele and distal spinal cord within the spinal canal. B, Postcontrast T1-weighted sagittal MR image shows multiple foci (arrowheads) of high signal intensity in the distal thoracic and lumbar spinal cord consistent with metastatic seeding. C, Sagittal postcontrast T1-weighted MR image demonstrates multiple foci (arrowheads) of high signal intensity in the brain stem and cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord, consistent with metastatic seeding.
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
Resection of this sacral mass revealed a pleomorphic malignant spindle cell tumor at pathology, consistent with a rhabdomyosarcoma (hematoxylin-eosin).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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