Leiomyosarcoma in a cervical myelomeningocele

Leiomyosarcoma in a cervical myelomeningocele: a rare complication in a neglected case:

Abstract

Background and importance

Asymptomatic myelomeningoceles are usually more of cosmetic deformities and left without evaluation and untreated, amongst low socio-economic strata. Such midline swellings, if left neglected may become the seat for malignancies, usually of squamous cell origin.

Clinical presentation

The authors report a case of an 18-year-old male patient who developed leiomyosarcoma within chronically neglected cervical myelomeningocele.

Conclusion

A non-healing ulcer of any aetiology is a bed for carcinogenesis. Neglected myelomeningoceles, for any reason, may convert a benign entity to a malignant pathology. To our best knowledge, this is the first case of a leiomyosarcoma arising de novo from myelomeningocele.