Spinal cord injury caused by epidural B-cell lymphoma: Report of two cases

Background/Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by cancer is increasing in incidence as the mean age of our patient population increases. Understanding the prognosis and functional outcome requires knowledge of diseases of the spinal column. This paper presents the unusual presentation of epidural B-cell lymphoma. Methods: Case reports. Results: Two patients presented with an unusual cause of SCI, namely B-cell lymphoma. Both patients presented with sensory deficits greater than motor deficits and gait disorder. Both achieved functional independence at the community ambulation level and tumor remission with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Conclusions: B-cell epidural tumors are an uncommon cause of SCI. Functional outcome can be quite good, as can tumor outcome. Residual sensory deficits greater than motor deficits are not uncommon.