[Clinicopathological characteristics and imaging features of primary spinal Ewing's/PNET]

To explore the clinicopathological and imaging features of Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors in vertebral column and to improve knowledge of the disease.

The imaging information of 15 cases with pathologically proved. Ewing's/PNET were reviewed retrospectively.

There was an earlier onset with a short disease course. The locations of tumor included cervical segment (n = 1), thoracic segment (n = 5), lumbar segment (n = 2) and sacrococcyyeal region (n = 7). The imaging showed different extents of bone destruction. Among them, on radiology and computed tomography (CT), osteolytic (n = 9) and mixed (n = 4) destruction were detected along with large soft tissue masses (cystic and necrotic, n = 13; calcification, n = 2). Isodensity or low density was shown on CT, heterogeneous contrast enhancement of hypointensity or isointensity or slight hyperintensity on T1WI and slight hyperintensity or hyperintensity on T2WI of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Most cases showed obvious strengthening. Ten cases showed a collapse of centrum vertebrae while intervertebral space and disc had no change. All cases grew outside across intervertebral foramina. Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated Homer-Wright (H-W) rosettes in 13 cases. Immunohistochemistry, the highest positive rate of neural markers was CD99 (n = 13); secondly, CD56 and Ki67 and Syn (n = 9); Vim (n = 7), NSE (n = 5) and S-100 (n = 4), etc.

The non-specific imaging findings of Ewing's/PNET show different extents of bone destruction in vertebral column and soft tissue masses outside across intervertebral foramina. Other clinical features and histopathology must be considered for making a definite diagnosis.