Case Report: Primary ganglioneuroblastoma occurrence in lower thoracic spine

Abstract

Ganglioneuroblastoma is a neural tissue neoplasm, which is derived from the neural crest cells. It is mostly seen in the pediatric population but is very rarely found in the lower thoracic spine. Here, we report a rare case of ganglioneuroblstoma occurrence in the lower thoracic spine. A 2.5-year-old boy presented with spinal compression symptoms and on magnetic resonance imaging, a mass was identified over T10 to L1. The tumor showed round blue cells and mature ganglion cells with hypermitotic activity. Immunohistochemical synaptophysin and neurofilament staining was positive, confirming the diagnosis. The patient showed significant improvement after surgical excision of the tumor. This is the first reported case of ganglioneuroblastoma in the lower thoracic spine that was successfully treated in Pakistan.