J Korean Soc Radiol.  2011 May;64(5):435-438. 10.3348/jksr.2011.64.5.435.

Primary Epidural Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Lumbar Spine: A Case Report

• Choi WJ
• Lee S
• Joo KB
• Paik SS
• Lee YH
• Jun YJ

• KMID: 2040810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2011.64.5.435

Abstract

A primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a highly malignant tumor in children and young adults, and extremely rare in the spine. We report a case of a primary epidural peripheral PNET of the lumbar spine. The present extremely rare case of primary epidural peripheral PNET of the lumbar spine illustrates the unexpected occurrence and should be included in differential diagnoses for patients with spinal tumors.

MeSH Terms

Child
Diagnosis, Differential
Epidural Neoplasms
Humans
Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive
Spine
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Primary epidural peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor in a 12-year-old boy with low back pain. Axial MR images demonstrate an extradural mass with multi-lobulating contour, extending from the L1 to L2 level with spinal cord compression and extending to the right neural foraminal zone and paraspinal muscle. A. Axial T2WI (TR/TE: 4000/123) demonstrates an isointensity, with multifocal hyperintensity which appear as a cyst-like lesion. B. T1WI (TR/TE: 600/7) shows isointensity of the epidural tumor. C. Gadolinium-enhanced fat suppressed T1WI shows mild enhancement.

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  Fig. 2 Photomicrographs of the primary epidural pPNET. The tumor is composed of small round cells with scanty cytoplasm and a vague rossette-like arrangement (arrows) (hematoxylin & eosin staining, ×400).

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  Fig. 3 On immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells showed diffuse, strong membranous positivity for CD99 (×100).

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