Burkitt Lymphoma Presenting as a Paraneoplastic Demyelinating Disorder in a Child

In adults, lymphomas have been associated with paraneoplastic syndromes that cause cranial nerve palsies, polyneuropathies, and paraplegias. These have been less frequently reported in children. We describe a pediatric patient who initially presented with palsy of her left third cranial nerve and bilateral ptosis. Initial diagnosis was concerning for myasthenia gravis, but after additional diagnostic evaluation, she was found to have acute motor axonal neuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid studies were consistent with a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma. We discuss the importance of considering primary oncologic diagnoses in acute neurologic disorders with unusual presentations.