[Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cauda equina. Report of a case]

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are malignant neoplasms whose classification has been controversial. Spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors are rare and at the cauda equina are even less common. We report the case of a 40 year-old man with a history of progressive back pain and gait difficulty. After the diagnosis of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cauda equina, the patient presented seeding to the intracranial subarachnoid space followed by a poor outcome. We review the literature of primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors.