Synovial sarcoma of the spine: A report of three cases and review of the literature

Fungating synovial sarcoma at the posterior aspect of neck: a case report

BACKGROUND

In this report, we describe an uncommon instance of fungating synovial sarcoma affecting the posterior aspect of the neck. Although the existing literature has documented a limited number of cases, this particular case contributes to the knowledge about it, which is scarce.

CASE PRESENTATION

A total of 5 months before the examination, a Pakistani-Asian male, age 20 years, complained of a malodorous fungating swelling on the posterior aspect of his neck. An examination revealed a foul-smelling, 10 × 13 cm fungating enlargement surrounded by maggots and hemorrhaging at the site of the incision. A hemoglobin level of 6 and a total leukocyte count (TLC) of 23,000 indicated the patient's disoriented and pallid appearance. He was expeditiously admitted, and preoperatively, the general well-being of the patient was optimized. After a comprehensive discussion with the medical team, a strategy for marginal excision and coverage with a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap and grafting was devised. The tumor was successfully excised, and an LD flap with graft was conducted on the patient during surgery; however, the infection caused the failure of half of the graft. Following that, the lesion was debrided, and re-grafting was performed. The patient was subsequently administered 5 cycles of chemotherapy and 32 cycles of radiotherapy. He was diagnosed with pulmonary metastasis 2 years later. Sadly, the patient died during a follow-up visit 3.5 years later.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient's unfavorable prognosis after surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, despite undergoing all-encompassing treatments, underscores the importance of early detection and intervention in fungating tumor cases.

Understanding a mass in the paraspinal region: an anatomical approach

The paraspinal region encompasses all tissues around the spine. The regional anatomy is complex and includes the paraspinal muscles, spinal nerves, sympathetic chains, Batson's venous plexus and a rich arterial network. A wide variety of pathologies can occur in the paraspinal region, originating either from paraspinal soft tissues or the vertebral column. The most common paraspinal benign neoplasms include lipomas, fibroblastic tumours and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Tumour-like masses such as haematomas, extramedullary haematopoiesis or abscesses should be considered in patients with suggestive medical histories. Malignant neoplasms are less frequent than benign processes and include liposarcomas and undifferentiated sarcomas. Secondary and primary spinal tumours may present as midline expansile soft tissue masses invading the adjacent paraspinal region. Knowledge of the anatomy of the paraspinal region is of major importance since it allows understanding of the complex locoregional tumour spread that can occur via many adipose corridors, haematogenous pathways and direct contact. Paraspinal tumours can extend into other anatomical regions, such as the retroperitoneum, pleura, posterior mediastinum, intercostal space or extradural neural axis compartment. Imaging plays a crucial role in formulating a hypothesis regarding the aetiology of the mass and tumour staging, which informs preoperative planning. Understanding the complex relationship between the different elements and the imaging features of common paraspinal masses is fundamental to achieving a correct diagnosis and adequate patient management. This review gives an overview of the anatomy of the paraspinal region and describes imaging features of the main tumours and tumour-like lesions that occur in the region.

Monophasic synovial sarcoma mimicking schwannoma: a case report of a rare peripheral nerve tumor and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Synovial sarcomas occurring as primary nerve tumors (SSPN) are rare and only 69 cases of SSPNs are reported in literature. Despite the little data available, SSPNs differ from other SSs in some distinctive aspects such as epidemiology, location, and early onset of symptoms. SSPN are consequently underdiagnosed and easily mistaken for benign or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST). Therefore, cytogenetic or molecular testing becomes essential in order to make a correct diagnosis. This article deals with an extremely rare case of monophasic SSPN of the posterior cords of the right brachial plexus. To our knowledge, this is only the tenth case of intraneural synovial sarcoma involving the brachial plexus.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 64-year-old man, who came to our attention due to a slow-growing painful right axillary neoformation, approximately 25 mm in size. The patient did not show any neurological impairments. Ultrasonography and constrast MRI showed a heterogeneous mass arising from the posterior cord of the right brachial plexus, resembling a schwannoma. The patient underwent total resection of tumor and capsule. Histologically, a diagnosis of monophasic synovial sarcoma was made based on histologic features and the immunohistochemical profile.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a rare primary synovial sarcoma of the brachial plexus. Given its rarity, the diagnosis may be challenging and requires a core biopsy or the surgical specimen to permit immune-molecular analysis. Margin-free surgery is the mainstay of curative treatment, while chemo- or radiotherapy may have a role in advanced or margin-positive neoplasms.

Synovial sarcoma of the spine: A case report and review of the literature

Background:

Synovial sarcoma (SS) of the spine is a rare malignant soft-tissue tumor, and there are few reported cases. The aim of this paper is to report a rare case of spinal SS involving the paraspinal muscles, and to review all such cases reported in the literature.

Case Description:

In this paper, we report a rare case of spinal SS involving the paraspinal muscles in a 12-year-old girl. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass with adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. At the 1-year follow-up, there was no evidence of local tumor recurrence, and the patient’s symptoms had improved. In addition, we identified and reviewed 33 reported cases of SS involving the spine.

Conclusion:

Due to the limited number of reported cases in the literature, it is difficult to predict the outcomes of spinal SS. Further, different treatment modalities have been used to treat spinal SS. However, most of the reported cases had poor outcomes. Therefore, prospective multi-center studies are needed to further investigate the treatment strategies and outcomes for patients with spinal SS.

A Rare Case of Monophasic Synovial Sarcoma of Thoracic Vertebra

Synovial sarcoma of spine is an extremely rare malignancy with poor prognosis. It is often metastatic at the time of presentation. Its relative rarity and histological resemblance to other tumors make it diagnostically challenging, requiring the need of immunohistochemistry and cytogenetics for definite diagnosis. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy with adjunct chemotherapy, although survival rates are very low.

Surgical management and outcome of synovial sarcoma in the spine

Background

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that rarely occurs in the spine, and a minimal number of cases have been reported in the literature. Spinal SS is challenging in diagnosis and treatment and has a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to summarize and analyse the clinical features and outcomes of patients with spinal SS.

Methods

A total of 16 cases of patients with spinal SS admitted to our institution were reviewed retrospectively. General information, radiological findings and treatment strategies were collected. These patients were followed up regarding their continuing treatment, local or distant recurrence and survival.

Results

Spinal SS patients in this series ranged in age from 12 to 68 years (median, 33). Four en bloc resections and 12 piecemeal resections were performed. Improved Frankel (P = 0.002), visual analogue scale (P = 0.002) and Karnofsky Performance Status (P = 0.002) scores were seen postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 35.9 ± 23.5 (median 31.5, range 4–87) months, with four local recurrences and three distant metastases detected. Eight patients (50.0%) died of disease by the last follow-up. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 87.5%, 61.4% and 40.9%, respectively. Preoperative chemotherapy was used in three patients to facilitate surgical resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were used in six patients.

Conclusions

Spinal SS has a relatively high risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Surgical intervention can improve the neurological function and relieve pain in these patients. En bloc excision is an effective treatment strategy to improve survival and prevent local recurrence. Management of spinal SS should be under the instruction of a multidisciplinary team.

Synovial sarcoma mimicking a thoracic dumbell schwannoma- a case report

Introduction: Synovial sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal malignant neoplasm that accounts for less than 10% of soft tissue sarcomas. About 95% of the sarcomas occur in the extremities. Primary synovial sarcomas of the spine are a rare tumor arising from the paravertebral regions, paraspinal muscles or epidural spaces.Purpose: To report an atypical radiological presentation of synovial sarcoma of the thoracic spine mimicking a nerve sheath tumor in an elderly adult and describe the management with review of the literature.Clinical presentation: A forty-six-year-old lady presented with clinical features of a thoracic intradural extramedullary cord compression at T7 level. She was Nurick grade 4 at presentation. MRI of the Thoracic spine with whole spine screening showed a contrast enhancing intradural extramedullary tumor at the T7-8 level; the tumor was exiting out through the left T7-8 neural foramina with foraminal widening. The possibility of a schwannoma was considered.Intervention: She underwent a T7-8 laminectomy and total excision of the tumor followed by posterior fusion. The biopsy was reported as synovial sarcoma. She subsequently underwent radiation and chemotherapy. She had marked improvement in her Neurological status and remained disease free at six months follow-up.Conclusion: Synovial sarcoma of the spine is a rare mesenchymal malignant neoplasm. One needs to consider Synovial sarcoma as one of the differential diagnosis of intradural tumors of the spine.

Synovial sarcoma of the spine: a case involving paraspinal muscle with extensive calcification and the surgical consideration in treatment

INTRODUCTION

Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of the spine. This tumor may present as a painless mass of the spine or slowly enlarge, causing pain or neurologic deficits. As it is difficult to differentiate this lesion from other soft tissue tumors, synovial sarcoma requires histologic confirmation for definite diagnosis. Thus, the treatment strategy is often planned in the final step depending on the pathologic results. Despite its rare incidence, a few cases of primary or metastatic synovial sarcoma involving the spinal cord, foramen, vertebral body, or paraspinal muscles have been reported in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present the case of a 29-year-old man with a synovial sarcoma in the paraspinal muscle of the cervical spine. The patient was evaluated radiologically and histologically. Plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed as part of the preoperative workup, and immunohistochemical and cytogenetic studies were additionally performed to identify the histologic features of the tumor. The patient underwent marginal resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. The patient has been followed up for 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This article highlights the features of synovial sarcoma of the spine via a comprehensive review. Synovial sarcoma of the spine is uncommon, but it is a challenging issue in both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The currently available evidence suggests the use of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of synovial sarcoma, which includes complete resection and radiation therapy.

A rare synovial sarcoma of the spine in the thoracic vertebral body

INTRODUCTION

Synovial sarcomas of the spine are very rare, most rare of which was occurring in the thoracic vertebral body. The diagnosis of synovial sarcomas was very difficult. It depends on the radiological examination, immunohistochemical examination and gene examination. The best treatment to them was completely surgical resection with negative margins. Other treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy were just adjuvant. The prognosis of synovial sarcomas was disappointing.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 26-year-old male patient had low back pain. The radiological examination showed bony erosion of the T7 vertebral body and no soft tissue mass around the spine. He underwent T7 resection en bloc and internal fixation with two levels above T7 and two levels below T7. Then histopathological and gene examination revealed high malignant synovial sarcoma. So he was treated by chemotherapy and external beam radiation therapy after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Primary vertebral body synovial sarcoma is very rare and difficult to diagnose and treat.

Modern surgical techniques for management of soft tissue sarcomas involving the spine: outcomes and complications

Several types of soft tissue sarcomas may locally extend to the spine. The best therapeutic strategy for such lesions strongly depends on the histological diagnosis. In this article the authors provide an up-to-date review of current guidelines regarding the management of soft tissue sarcomas involving the spine. Special attention is given to outcomes and complications of modern surgical series in order to highlight current challenges in the management of such lesions.

Clinical Neuropathology practice guide 6-2013: morphology and an appropriate immunohistochemical screening panel aid in the identification of synovial sarcoma by neuropathologists

Aims: Pathologists are under increasing pressure to accurately subclassify sarcomas, yet neuropathologists have limited collective experience with rare sarcoma types such as synovial sarcoma. We reviewed 9 synovial sarcomas affecting peripheral nerve diagnosed by neuropathologists and explored the morphologic and immunohistochemical differences between these and MPNST. Our goal was to make practical recommendations for neuropathologists regarding which spindle cell tumors affecting nerve should be sent for SYT-SSX testing. Methods: Clinical records and genetics were reviewed retrospectively and central pathology review of 9 synovial sarcomas and 6 MPNST included immunohistochemistry for SOX10, S100, BAF47, CK (lmw, pan, CK7, CK19), EMA, CD34, bcl2, CD99, and neurofilament. Results: Common synovial sarcoma sites were brachial plexus, spinal and femoral nerve, none were “intra-neural”, all had the SYT-SSX1 translocation, and 6/9 were monophasic with myxoid stroma and distinct collagen. Half of the monophasic synovial sarcomas expressed CK7, CK19 or panCK in a “rare positive cells pattern”, 8/9 (89%) expressed EMA, and all were SOX10 immunonegative with reduced but variable BAF47 expression. Conclusions: We recommend that upon encountering a cellular spindle cell tumor affecting nerve neuropathologists consider the following: 1) SYT-SSX testing should be performed on any case with morphology suspicious for monophasic synovial sarcoma including wiry or thick bands of collagen and relatively monomorphous nuclei; 2) neuropathologists should employ a screening immunohistochemical panel including one of CK7, panCK or CK19, plus EMA, S100 and SOX10, and 3) SYT-SSX testing should be performed on any spindle cell tumor with CK and/or EMA immunopositivity if SOX10 immunostaining is negative or only labels entrapped nerve elements.

Synovial sarcoma of primary bone origin arising from the cervical spine

Synovial sarcoma of primary bone origin is very rare and has not been previously reported in the cervical vertebra. We report the first case of a synovial sarcoma of the cervical vertebra, presenting as an expansile osteolytic lesion in the posterior osseous elements of the C3 vertebra characteristically with prominent intratumoral vessels.