[Sacral osteosarcoma in a child: a case study]

Osteosarcoma a bone tumor mainly found in children and teenagers represents 42% of all malignant primary bone tumors. A spinal onset is rare--only 0.8% to 3% of all cases. In some cases a medullary compression or palpable mass may be revealing. The case of a 13-year old girl affected with osteosarcomia is reported in this article. The symptomatology a discreet pain only postpones the diagnosis. The clinical exam reveals a deep abdomino-pelvic mass a muscular hypotrophy of the lower limbs associated with walking disorders. The paraclinical assessment comprises biological and radiological exams. The biological exam appeared without anomalies while the conventional imaging suggests a bone tumor. This suggestion is specified and analyzed by modern imaging: ultrasound scan spiral tomodensitometry and magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of a malignant tumor of the spinal sacrum is suggested and confirmed with a biopsy. The treatment comprises an initial chemotherapy followed by a surgery and a post-surgery chemotherapy. Given the localization of the tumor and the difficulty of performing surgery the treatment was limited to chemotherapy for this case study. The prognosis is linked to the primary localization and the extension of the tumor; it remains reserved for the sacrum localization.