Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of lumbar spine: case repor:

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the spine: a comprehensive review with illustrative clinical cases

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are uncommon malignancies that are increasingly reported in the literature. Spinal PNETs, like their cranial counterparts, are aggressive tumors and patients with these tumors typically have short survival times despite maximal surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Because no standard management guidelines exist for treating these tumors, a multitude of therapeutic strategies have been employed with varying success. In this study the authors perform a comprehensive review of the literature on primary spinal PNETs and provide 2 new cases that highlight the salient features of their clinical management.

Primary central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (CNS-PNETs) of the spinal cord in children: four cases from the German HIT database with a critical review of the literature

Approximately 30-50% of patients with intracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system (CNS) develop spinal metastases. In contrast, primary spinal CNS-PNETs are extremely uncommon. The database and study records of the German/Austrian brain tumor trials HIT 91, HIT SKK 92, and HIT 2000 were retrospectively reviewed to describe clinical features, treatment modalities, and outcome of children with primary CNS-PNETs of the spinal cord who were registered as observational patients. Out of 1,248 patients with medulloblastomas or CNS-PNETs registered in the HIT database four patients (female, n = 3) with primary CNS-PNETs of the spinal cord were identified. Age at diagnosis was 10, 16, 23, and 174 months. Location of primary tumors was medulla oblongata-T3, C2-T1, T10-L2, T7-T10. Two patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Complete and incomplete resection was performed in one patient each, whereas two patients underwent a biopsy only. Two patients received chemotherapy only, in accordance with the HIT 91 trial (sandwich chemotherapy arm). They developed disease progression and died six months after diagnosis. One patient was given chemotherapy in accordance with the HIT 2000 trial followed by craniospinal radiotherapy and four courses of maintenance chemotherapy. The patient is in complete remission almost four years after diagnosis. The fourth patient developed disease progression while receiving induction chemotherapy. Hence, chemotherapy was switched to a modified Head Start protocol. After three cycles he underwent double autologous stem cell transplantation and craniospinal irradiation. Forty months after diagnosis the patient is alive and well, but surveillance MRIs still show nodular enhancing lesions in the area of the primary tumor and intracranial meningeal enhancement. Primary CNS-PNETs of the spinal cord probably require multimodal treatment including radiotherapy to achieve sustained tumor control.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor causing cauda equina syndrome with destruction of L5 vertebra

A 24-year-old male patient presented with cauda equina lesion symptoms. His clinicoradiological examination including X-rays, CT scan and MRI revealed destruction of L(5) vertebral body, pedicle and a mass extending to lateral recess and left intervertebral foramina causing pressure over the thecal sac. A CT guided FNAC was inconclusive. Open biopsy and hemilaminectomy of L(5) vertebra was performed. Histopathology and immunocytochemical analysis revealed it to be primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Patient was given chemotherapy and radiation therapy. His lower limb power improved by grade I post operatively and at 2 years follow-up bowel/bladder recovery was noticed. Patient died after 2.5 years of surgery because of pulmonary metastasis.

Primary epidural peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the thoracic spine

A 25-year-old male patient presented with an extremely rare primary spinal peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) manifesting as acutely progressive paraparesis and back pain. Neuroimaging and intraoperative examination showed that the tumor was confined to the epidural space of the thoracic spine. The patient was treated successfully by gross total resection of the tumor followed by chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. The present case illustrates the unexpected occurrence and important differential diagnosis of primary epidural pPNET of the thoracic spine in young patients presenting with progressive paraparesis and back pain.

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the lumbar extradural space

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the extradural space are very rare; only 10 cases have been reported in the English language literature. The histopathological diagnosis of primary spinal PNETs has been discussed for many years. These tumors have a rapidly progressive course, and there is no current consensus on the optimal therapeutic approach for these patients. The authors present a case of primary PNET located in the lumbar extradural space in a 13-year-old girl and report the clinical, radiological, histopathological, and surgical findings. They compare their findings with those from the other 10 cases reported in the literature and review relevant literature.