MRI of Primary Spinal Epidural Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: a case report

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is highly malignant and extremely rare in the spine. We present a case with primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PSPNET) which involved epidural space of thoracic spine with cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an isointense epidural lesion on T1WI and T2WI. Heterogeneous enhancement following the administration of gadolinium is also noted. The prognosis of PSPNET is very poor. Even though PNET in spine is an extremely rare condition, it should be included in differential diagnoses for patients with spinal tumor. Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are highly malignant and mainly exist in the central nervous system, chest wall, lower extremities, trunk, kidney and orbit but rarely in the spine [1]. We present a patient with PSPNET, which was diagnosed by MRI and was treated immediately. Though total excision combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy are established as the standard therapy for PSPNET, little is known about the optimal treatment strategy and therapeutic results.