Spinal cord compression is very rare as a first sign of cancer in childhood. Sarcomas account for about half of the cases of spinal cord involvement in childhood. Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) usually occurs during the course of, or sometimes as a presenting sign of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present two cases with AML having acute paraparesis, with a detected tumor compressing the spinal cord. The first case, a 16-year-old-boy, complained of weaking ness while walking and back pain, and had paraparesis and sensory loss in the lower limbs. Complete blood count was normal. Thoracal X-ray revealed widening of the mediastinum. Magnetic resonance imaging was done, and a solid mass existing from C6 to T2 vertebrae, was detected compressing the spinal cord. The examination of bone marrow and flow cytometric analysis indicated AML-M1. The second case, a 14-year-old boy, complained about weakening in the legs, and had paraparesis and sensory loss in the lower limbs. Myeloblast was found 20%in the peripherae blood, and a mass image was seen in the thoracal x-ray. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid mass, compressing the spinal cord at the level of T3-5 vertebrae. The examination of bone marrow and flow cytometric analysis indicated AML-M2. Acute neurologic findings may be the first finding of a cancer-like leukemia. The duration of symptoms and time to diagnosis must be short because of neurologic recovery.

Keywords: medulla spinalis basısı, paraparezi, lösemi, manyetik rezonans görüntüleme