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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Spinal epidural synovial sarcoma: a case of homogeneous enhancing large paravertebral mass on MR imaging
Sang-il Suh1, Hae Young Seol, Suk-Joo Hong
1Medical Research Center, Guro Hospital, Korea.
Abstract:
We report the MR imaging findings in a 44-year-old man with a low-grade synovial sarcoma. There was a right-sided epidural and paravertebral mass, widening of the ipsilateral neural foramen at the L4-L5 level, and focal erosion of the right superior articular process of the L5 vertebra. The mass was relatively homogeneous, hyperintense to muscle and isointense to fat on T2-weighted images, and isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images, and it demonstrated moderate homogeneous enhancement.
Insights
This case report details MR imaging findings of a low-grade synovial sarcoma in a 44-year-old man. The imaging revealed a spinal mass with associated bone erosion and neural foramen widening.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor that can occur in various locations, including the spine.
- Spinal synovial sarcomas are often challenging to diagnose due to their nonspecific presentation and rarity.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male presented with findings suggestive of a spinal mass.
- MR imaging was performed to evaluate the extent and characteristics of the lesion.
Findings:
- The MR imaging revealed a right-sided epidural and paravertebral mass at the L4-L5 level.
- Associated findings included widening of the neural foramen and focal erosion of the L5 superior articular process.
- The mass exhibited specific signal intensities on T1 and T2-weighted images and showed moderate homogeneous enhancement post-contrast.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of MR imaging in diagnosing spinal tumors.
- Accurate characterization of synovial sarcoma on MR imaging is crucial for surgical planning and patient management.
- Understanding the imaging features can aid in differentiating synovial sarcoma from other spinal pathologies.