Key-words:
Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors - Ewing's sarcoma - extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma
- peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor
Introduction
The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors are aggressive tumors comprising osseous Ewing's
sarcoma, extraosseous Ewings sarcoma (EES), peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor,
and Askin tumor.[[1]] EES is relatively rare constituting approximately 15% compared to osseous Ewing's
sarcoma. The most common location for EES is paravertebral soft tissue mass, which
can extend to spinal epidural space; however, literature about involvement and extension
along the brachial plexus is scarce.[[2]] Given the rarity of EES and nonspecific imaging features, the diagnosis on imaging
alone can be challenging. A final diagnosis of EES is made on histopathological evaluation;
however, a high index of suspicion on imaging helps accelerate the diagnostic and
metastatic workup as well as planning of further management.
Case Report
A 25-year-old male presented to the emergency facility with complaints of progressive
quadriparesis of 5-day duration, with more significant involvement of the bilateral
upper limbs. There were no antecedent history of trauma or fever and no bowel/bladder
symptoms at presentation. He had complaints of vague neck pain and stiffness for 2-month
duration, which used to get relieved on taking over-the-counter analgesics. On examination,
the motor power was 1/5 in the bilateral upper limbs and 3/5 in the bilateral lower
limbs. The pain and temperature sensation were impaired below the C2 level.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the whole spine revealed a relatively well-defined
heterogeneous mass in the anterior cervical epidural space extending from C2 to C7
vertebral levels. It caused posterior displacement and compression of the cervical
spinal cord [[Figure 1]]a, [[Figure 1]]b, [[Figure 1]]c. The mass was noted extending along the widened right C2–3 to C6–7 neural exit
foramina infiltrating the root and trunk of ipsilateral brachial plexus. It infiltrated
the right-sided vertebral foramina extending from C2 to C5 level encasing the V2 segment
of the right vertebral artery without any luminal narrowing [[Figure 1]]d. Subtle marrow edema of the posterior vertebral bodies was noted involving C3–C6
vertebral levels [[Figure 1]]e.
Figure 1: Sag T2 (a), T1 (b), Cor STIR (c), and axial T2 images (d) show T2 hyperintense, T1
isointense mass in the rt anterior epidural space, displacing cord to the left side
with internal cystic areas (c, yellow A). Widening of rt C2-3 neural foramen and encasement
of right vertebral artery (red A in d). The three-dimensional Cor STIR MIP image (e)
showing the infiltration of rt brachial plexus roots and trunk (red ahead). Postcontrast
Sag T1 fat saturated image (f) showing moderate enhancement with nonenhancing cystic
areas. Note restricted diffusion (green A) on Sag diffusion-weighted images (g), apparent
diffusion coefficient map hypointensity (h). Sag-Sagittal, Cor-Coronal, A-Arrow, rt-right
The lesion displayed a slight hyperintense signal on T2-weighted and isointense signal
on T1-weighted images, with few tiny cystic spaces within it. Sagittal diffusion-weighted
images (DWIs) revealed restricted diffusion with low apparent diffusion coefficient
values [[Figure 1]]g, [[Figure 1]]h. Postcontrast images revealed moderate enhancement with few nonenhancing cystic
areas [[Figure 1]]f. No areas of hemorrhage/calcification were seen on gradient recalled echo images.
Computed tomography (CT) of the cervical spine was done to look for any periosteal
reaction or bony involvement. It revealed the subtle erosion of the C4–C6 vertebral
bodies posteriorly. No focal areas of calcification were noted. In view of the imaging
findings, the diagnosis of primitive neuroendocrine tumor/EES was made with a differential
of lymphoma because of extension along the right brachial plexus. Contrast-enhanced
CT of the chest and abdomen was done which did not reveal any metastasis.
The patient underwent surgical decompression with laminectomy of C3–C7 vertebrae and
gross total resection of the tumor. Intraoperatively, the tumor was ill-defined soft,
suckable, grayish, completely extradural with moderate vascularity being seen pushing
and compressing the cervical cord to the left. The cervical cord was nonpulsatile,
and right-sided cervical neural exit foramina were widened. There was no obvious bony
involvement by the tumor. After tumor decompression, the cord became lax and pulsatile.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring showed some improvement in motor evoked potentials
in the bilateral lower limbs after tumor decompression. Intraoperative frozen section
was suggestive of a high-grade round cell tumor. Postsurgery, the patient continued
to have a gradual improvement in motor power in all four limbs. At discharge, the
patient had the power of 4/5 in the bilateral lower limbs, 4/5 in right upper limb,
and 3/5 in the left upper limb.
Histopathology showed a small round cell tumor composed of monomorphic to mildly pleomorphic
round cells, with scant cytoplasm, round hyperchromatic nuclei, and inconspicuous
nucleoli [[Figure 2]]a and [[Figure 2]]b. The tumor was positive for vimentin, CD99 [[Figure 2]]c and [[Figure 2]]d, and Bcl-2 and was negative for leukocyte common antigen, chromogranin [[Figure 2]]e and [[Figure 2]]f, and synaptophysin. Additional markers cytokeratin and myogenin were negative,
which ruled out an epithelial and skeletal muscle differentiation. Based on these
findings, a diagnosis of EES was made.
Figure 2: (a) Image (H and E, ˣ10) showing a low power view of a tumor appearing very cellular
and “blue.” (b) Image (H and E, *40) showing a high power view of the tumor, which
is composed of monomorphic to mildly pleomorphic round cells with scant cytoplasm,
round hyperchromatic nuclei, and inconspicuous nucleoli. The tumor cells are immunopositive
for vimentin (c), show membranous positivity for CD99 (d), and are immunonegative
for leukocyte common antigen and chromogranin (e and f), respectively
Discussion
Extraosseous tumors resembling Ewing's sarcoma were first described in 1969 by Tefft.[[3]] EESs are rare in comparison with Ewing's sarcoma of the bone, usually reported
in the second and third decades of life with equal frequency in both males and females.
EES can occur virtually anywhere in the body, with most frequent sites of occurrence
being the paravertebral region, chest wall, lower extremities, trunk, and pelvis.[[4]]
EES primarily occurring in the anterior spinal epidural space is a rare occurrence
with only a few cases reports in the literature,[[5]] and extension along the brachial plexus nerve root is even rarer. However, it is
more common than the primary intradural EES. In a review of patients with extradural
spinal EES/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, the lumbar region was the most
common site followed by thoracic and cervical spine, with sacrum being the least affected
site.[[6]] The tumor generally tends to spread locally, infiltrating deep fascial spaces,
muscles, or skeletal structures. The involvement of brachial plexus in our case might
be secondary to the spread of the tumor along with the nerve roots.
EES presenting as the primary intradural lesion is extremely rare, and <50 cases have
been reported in the literature.[[7]] They have a male preponderance with a predilection to involve the lumbosacral region
followed by cervical and dorsal regions. The extradural and intradural EESs have similar
clinical manifestations and prognosis.[[7]]
The clinical presentation depends on the varying degree of cord compression and the
level involved, with the most common presenting symptoms being radicular pain, paresis,
and sensory disturbances with or without bowel/bladder symptoms.[[8]] The median diagnostic delay in the literature was 3 months and is explained by
the nonspecific symptoms at onset.
MRI is the modality of choice for imaging in EES. These tumors are reported to display
isointense to hyperintense signal on T1 images and hyperintense on T2 images with
smaller tumors appearing homogenous and larger tumor appearing heterogeneous secondary
to internal areas of hemorrhage and necrosis. Some studies have shown the presence
of flow void within the lesion at MRI, which may aid the diagnosis. Calcification
is an atypical feature.[[9]] Lymphadenopathy is not a commonly reported feature. Our case demonstrated a slightly
hyperintense T2 signal of the tumor with internal cystic areas and homogenous enhancement,
similar to previous reports. The restricted diffusion of the tumor signifies increased
cellularity.
Imaging differential diagnosis of EES involving the epidural space included benign
and malignant nerve sheath tumors, lymphoma, leukemia, histiocytic diseases, hemangioma,
and epidural meningioma. Because of extension along multiple neural foramina, encasement
of the V2 segment of the right vertebral artery, infiltration of brachial plexus,
and STIR hyperintensity of the adjacent vertebral body, the benign entities were excluded
from the differential diagnosis. Lymphoma, EES, and nerve sheath tumors have the propensity
to extend along the neural foramina and brachial plexus. Lymphoma involving epidural
space originates from the body of vertebra or paravertebral lymph node and then extends
to epidural space. It shows a homogenous hyperintense signal on T2 with restricted
diffusion and homogenous enhancement; however, the presence of cystic internal spaces
is not described. The primary spinal intradural EES may also extend along the nerve
roots and be indistinguishable from nerve sheath tumors.[[9]] These intradural tumors can also mimic other intraspinal tumors such as meningioma
and ependymoma.
Surgical intervention is considered the primary approach in the management of these
cases, particularly to relieve cord compression symptoms, as well as for cytoreduction.
Inadequate tumor margin or residual tumor is associated with increased tumor recurrence.[[10]] EES is radiosensitive, but definitive radiotherapy is indicated when only an intralesional
resection is possible.[[11]] Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapies produce comparable results in patients
with localized disease.
EES is aggressive with a high predilection for local recurrence as well as distant
metastasis. The prognosis of EES is more favorable compared to the osseous counterpart.
Patients with localized disease have an estimated 5-year survival rate of about 70%,
however, with a relapse rate of 30%. Patients with metastatic or recurrent disease
have a poorer prognosis.[[12]]
Conclusion
Although primary spinal epidural EES is rare, it should be considered in the differential
diagnosis of spinal epidural masses with features, such as extension along multiple
neural exit foramina, infiltration along nerves, and encasement of vessels. DWI can
be of help in determining the high cellularity of the lesions even in the spinal cord
lesions. Gross tumor resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy can alter
the disease course and improve the 5-year survival rate.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
In the form, the legal guardian has given his consent for images and other clinical
information to be reported in the journal. The guardian understands that names and
initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but
anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
