A 20-year-old man with back pain and lower extremity weakness

JAMA Neurol. 2015 Mar;72(3):363-6. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2014.3833.

Abstract

A 20-year-old man presented with 1 week of low back pain and progressive lower extremity weakness. Results of cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated elevated total protein and a mildly elevated white blood cell count with lymphocytic predominance. Findings from imaging studies revealed a multifocal, heterogeneously enhancing, intramedullary lesion involving the cervicothoracic spinal cord and nodular enhancement of the cauda equina. The patient eventually underwent spinal surgery for tissue diagnosis. The differential diagnosis, pathologic findings, and diagnosis are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Back Pain / diagnosis*
  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Back Pain / surgery
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / pathology*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Male
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis*
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Muscle Weakness / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
  • Young Adult