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An infant with intradural extramedullary synovial sarcoma: the youngest case in the literature
Koray Yalçın1, Gülen Tüysüz1, Saim Kazan2
1Departments Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
Insights
This study reports the youngest case of spinal synovial sarcoma in a 14-month-old infant. Early recognition of this rare spinal tumor is crucial, even in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuropathology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Spinal cord involvement by synovial sarcoma is exceptionally rare, with only two prior reported cases.
- Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor typically affecting extremities but can occur in the spine.
Observation:
- A 14-month-old infant presented with progressive difficulty in walking.
- Imaging revealed a spinal cord mass spanning C5-T3 levels.
- Histopathologic examination confirmed synovial sarcoma after decompressive surgery.
Findings:
- The youngest patient documented with intradural extramedullary synovial sarcoma.
- Tumor regression was observed following chemotherapy.
- The patient unfortunately succumbed to viral pneumonia.
Implications:
- Synovial sarcoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal tumors in infants.
- Highlights the importance of early detection and multidisciplinary management for rare pediatric spinal neoplasms.
- Underscores the challenges in managing rare pediatric cancers and their complications.
Abstract:
Yalçın K, Tüysüz G, Kazan S, Gürer Eİ, Karaali K, Küpesiz A, Güler E. An infant with intradural extramedullary synovial sarcoma: the youngest case in the literature. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 765-770. Spinal cord involvement of synovial sarcoma is extremely rare. So far only two cases have been reported. Herein we describe the youngest case in the literature. She is 14-month-old and first presented with difficulty in walking ongoing for a week. Imagining showed a spinal cord mass at C5-T3 levels. The patient had gone under Decompressive surgery and histopathologic examination of the specimen revealed the presence of synovial sarcoma. Although the tumor regressed after chemotherapy, she was lost due to viral pneumonia. Synovial sarcoma should be kept in mind while evaluating spinal tumors even in infantile group.
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