Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Case reports highlight the need for careful diagnosis of spinal tumors in infants with limb weakness, indicating that timely treatment can improve outcomes.
Case: We present 2 cases of spinal astrocytoma in infants mistaken for brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBI). (1) A 5-month-old infant had upper-extremity weakness resembling a global plexus injury. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy revealed a low-grade cervical astrocytoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy with partial recovery of upper extremity motor function. (2) A 5-month-old infant had upper-extremity weakness resembling upper trunk BPBI. MRI and biopsy revealed pilocystic astrocytoma. The patient underwent spinal decompression and proton therapy but did not regain function. Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion for neoplasia in the setting of presumed brachial plexus birth injury can prevent incorrect diagnosis allow timely treatment.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sobol et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: