Case report reveals spinal cord compression in a child with Burkitt lymphoma, highlighting the need for rapid diagnosis and chemotherapy.
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and primary spinal involvement as its initial manifestation is extremely rare in children. We report the case of a 10-year-old female presenting with progressive lower limb weakness and back pain. MRI revealed a destructive lesion of the thoracic spine with epidural extension and spinal cord compression. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of BL. The patient was treated according to the French African Pediatric Oncology Group-Lymphomes Malins B (GFAOP/LMB) protocol, with rapid neurological improvement and complete remission at follow-up. This report highlights the importance of considering BL in the differential diagnosis of pediatric spinal cord compression, as early diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate chemotherapy are crucial for achieving favorable outcomes.
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Azirar et al. (2025) studied this question.
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