Imaging characteristics of primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors. A report of five cases and literature...

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare and classified into peripheral and central types because the treatment strategy and outcome are different. This study describes five cases of primary spinal peripheral type PNETs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed large extradural masses in the cervical and thoracic spine with bony invasion and paraspinal extension in four cases and a transdural mass in the sacral spinal canal in one case. We also briefly summarize the imaging characteristics of 36 peripheral type and six central type primary spinal PNETs in the literature.