Published online Sep 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i18.2857
Peer-review started: June 19, 2019
First decision: August 2, 2019
Revised: August 6, 2019
Accepted: August 27, 2019
Article in press: August 26, 2019
Published online: September 26, 2019
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). ALCL is rare as a bone lesion and in pregnancy.
We present the first case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ ALCL of the thoracic spine during pregnancy. A 25-year-old pregnant woman was presented to us at 24 wk’ gestation with severe back pain and weakness in the left lower limb. Imaging examination showed lesions at T10 and T11. She underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation and vertebroplasty. Pathological examination showed ALK+ ALCL. The patient chose to have therapeutic abortion after surgery and received chemotherapy in the hematology department. She now remains disease free with no neurological deficit after 30 mo’ follow-up.
ALK+ ALCL with the thoracic spine involvement is uncommon, especially in pregnancy. Many symptoms can be misunderstood during pregnancy; therefore, when a pregnant patient has persistent back pain or lower limb neurological symptoms, imaging examinations should be performed.
Core tip: We present the first case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the thoracic spine during pregnancy. The patient underwent posterior spinal cord decompression and pedicle screw fixation surgery and chemotherapy. There were major improvements in the patient's status. We concluded that it is important to have a detailed examination of pregnant women with back pain and neurological deficits.