LYMPHOMAS OF SPINAL EPIDURAL SPACE

Authors:
  • JLJ. Grafton Love
    J. Grafton Love
  • RMRoss H. Miller
    Ross H. Miller
  • JKJames W. Kernohan
    James W. Kernohan
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Abstract
INVASION of the spinal epidural space by lymphoblastic tissue is an infrequent complication of Hodgkin's disease or lymphosarcomatosis. Signs and symptoms of involvement of the central nervous system in lymphoblastic disease are not unusual but actual invasion of the brain and spinal cord is extremely rare. Symptoms referable to the spinal cord in patients who have these lesions most often arise as the result of pressure on the cord occurring after collapse of an involved vertebra. In most patients the primary lymphoblastomatous lesions originate elsewhere and secondarily involve the central nervous system. We have seen a number of cases in which there appeared to be primary involvement of the spinal epidural space without evidence of tumor elsewhere. These cases form the basis of this report. MATERIAL Search of the records at the Mayo Clinic revealed 39 cases in which the primary symptoms of tumor of the spinal cord were due