Congenital neuroblastoma presenting with paraplegia following spinal puncture in a neonate. Case report and review of the literature

Neuroblastoma is the most common intraspinal solid tumor of childhood. Neurological deterioration due to an intratumoral hemorrhage following a spinal puncture is extremely rare. We report on the case of a 23-day-old neonate who was admitted to our institution for the onset of a paraplegia following a diagnostic lumbar puncture. The MRI showed an epidural tumor with massive intratumoral hemorrhage. Operatively and with histologic confirmation, the mass was determined to be a neuroblastoma. Following surgery, neurological function improved.