Spinal Burkitts lymphoma in a 60-year-old Nigerian male: A case report

Abstract

Burkitts Lymphoma (BL) typically involves extranodal sites, though its involvement of the extradural, intraspinal space is rare. A 60-year-old man presented with inability to move the lower limbs of two days duration. MRI showed extensive, fairly lobulated, dome shaped paravertebral soft tissue mass. He underwent T4 - T9 laminectomy and excision biopsy of the extradural component of the tumour. Based on tissue histology, diagnosis was concluded to be BL. Spinal BL should be an important differential diagnosis in an adult with no prior history of malignancy presenting clinically with lower limb weakness, paraplegia and a spinal mass on imaging.