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Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
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Cervical epidural extra-osseous Ewing sarcoma mimicking an epidural abscess
Matthew Bailey1, Martin Mccabe2, Piyali Pal3
1a Department of Neurosurgery , Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust , Greater Manchester , UK.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|March 17, 2016
Summary
A rare epidural extra-osseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES) mimicked an epidural abscess in a young woman with quadriplegia. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this challenging condition.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Pathology
Background:
- Epidural extra-osseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is an exceptionally rare tumor.
- Accurate diagnosis of spinal tumors can be challenging due to varied presentations.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old woman presented with quadriplegia.
- Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated inflammatory markers suggested an epidural abscess.
- Histological examination confirmed epidural extra-osseous Ewing's sarcoma.
Findings:
- Ewing's sarcoma presenting as an epidural mass is exceedingly uncommon.
- Misdiagnosis is a risk due to overlapping clinical and radiological features with more common conditions like abscesses.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in spinal pathologies.
- Multidisciplinary management involving surgical excision and chemotherapy is essential for favorable outcomes in EES.
