Solitary spinal eosinophilic granuloma in children

Abstract

Solitary vertebral eosinophilic granuloma is said to be a rare spinal condition in children. 'Vertebra plana' is considered as the typical radiological feature of the involved vertebra; but it could be observed only in 40% of the patients. We have studied three pediatric patients with solitary vertebral eosinophilic granuloma. Their complaint was pain and/or stiffness of the back. Two of them developed neurological deficits in their lower limbs. The diagnosis in imaging (plain radiographs, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) varied from one case to another. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. These three patients underwent an open biopsy and a resection of the spinal lesion achieved with or without interfixation. The outcome was satisfactory in these three cases after a mean follow-up period of over 2 years (from 23 to 27 months).