Journal of Spine

Lumbo-Sciatica as the Initial Presentation of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Hicham El Maaroufi, Kamal Doghmi and Mohammed Mikdame

A 39-year-old man presented with lumbo-sciatica. C-Scan shows an aspect of herniated disc at the L5 level. He underwent emergent laminectomy and a tumor was found and biopsy made. The initial histological diagnosis was malignant lymphoma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a lumbar epidural mass at the level of L5 and the sacral vertebrae. The correct diagnosis of epidural lymphoblastic mass and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) was established based on a study of the bone marrow cells. Treatment by chemotherapy has been established.

Leukemic mass must be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural mass, even in patients with ALL.