What is it about?
The possibility of malign transformation should be considered in long-term due to nonhealing ulcers and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and frequent infections in an adult patient with meningomyelocele. The possibility of conversion to malignancy in the control of an untreated meningomyelocele patient with (CSF) drainage should be especially kept in mind.
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Why is it important?
Early closure of meningocele, meningomyelocele is essential to prevent complications such as hypothermia, infection in the postnatal period. Also, especially if there is continuous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exposure, the possibility of malignant change should be kept in mind in neglected cases presenting in an adult.
Perspectives
CSF contains less protein and sugar than blood, and some IgG antibodies are produced in the brain. Three to five lymphocytes are considered normal. In the present case, chronic irritation may well have been a factor contributing to malignant change, due to the long history of repeated wound dressings, drug treatments and applications, and continuous drainage of CSF. Of 9 cases that developed SCC in the literature (including the present case), 7–8 had CSF exposure. Continuous CSF exposure can also be a cause of SCC because its content is different from that of the bloodstream.
Nese Kurt Ozkaya
Cumhuriyet Universitesi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Untreated meningomyelocele and squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review, British Journal of Neurosurgery, January 2019, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2018.1554178.
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