Transverse myelopathy: an initial presentation of acute leukemia.

An 8-year-old female with a history of back pain and loss of the ability to walk is presented. Transverse myelopathy was considered clinically after assessing magnetic resonance imaging results of the thoracic spine. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed approximately 5 months after the beginning of symptoms. Reviewing the related literature suggests that transverse myelopathy is not uncommon in neoplastic diseases. Children with a disorder of the spinal cord, especially if accompanied with fatigue and anemia, might have transverse myelopathy-associated malignant disease. Transverse myelopathy can be the initial presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.