Case report: a preterm infant with an extradural myxopapillary ependymoma component of a teratoma and high levels of alpha-fetoprotein

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1998 Sep-Oct;15(5):437-41. doi: 10.3109/08880019809016573.

Abstract

The sacrococcygeal region may be the origin of germinal tumors, of paragangliomas, and, rarely, of extradural myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE) in the newborn and child. A case is presented of a preterm child with an abdominal tumor, originating from the precoccygeal area, that turned out to be a teratoma with a component of an MPE. The high levels of alpha-fetoprotein in this preterm baby were initially misleadingly interpreted as a tumoral marker. The differential diagnosis and the difficulties in interpreting tumoral markers in infants are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Glioma / blood*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / blood*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / blood*
  • Sacrococcygeal Region*
  • Teratoma / blood*
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins