malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma with t11 metastasis and compression of the spinal cord

Malignant paraganglioma with skeletal metastases and spinal cord compression: response and palliation with chemotherapy.

Paragangliomas (carotid body tumours, chemodectomas) may arise in any area of the body where sympathetic ganglia are present, including chemoreceptors, the adrenal medulla and retroperitoneal ganglia. Increasing numbers of patients are being reported with vertebral metastases and spinal cord compression for which either decompression laminectomy or external beam radiotherapy, or both, are requi...

Mediastinal paraganglioma causing spinal cord compression.

An invasive paraganglioma of the posterior mediastinum caused spinal cord compression in a 31 year old women. Electron microscopic examination of the paraganglioma invading the epidural space revealed numerous dense-cored granules in the cytoplasm of the tumour cells. We are reporting this case to present the ultrastructure of mediastinal paraganglioma, and to call attention to an unusual cause...

Familial malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma.

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumours and those occurring in the head and neck have well recognized familial association. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are uncommon and we present two cases of familial malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma. Review of the literature revealed marked differences in the incidence and malignant potential of familial and non-familial paraganglioma. In contrast...

Spinal-cord Compression in the Malignant Lymphomas.

Recognising signs of malignant spinal cord compression.

My work at Christie Hospital involves caring for patients with malignancies, from those who are newly diagnosed, to those in the last days of their life. It is not uncommon for me to nurse a patient with compression of the spinal cord, which is why I chose to reflect on this article. The presenting signs of malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) vary, although pain is often the earliest sympt...

Spinal cord compression due to carcinoid metastasis.

A case of cord compression secondary to the carcinoid syndrome is reported. The patient made an excellent response to surgical treatment, emphasizing that active management of this unusual complication should be considered.