Spinal Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumours in Nigerians

Spinal Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are very rare aggressive tumours with poor prognosis. Little is known about these tumours in sub-saharan Africa.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical profile and outcome of management of these tumours in a resource limited country.

We retrospectively analysed data from the records of patients who had surgery for spinal MPNSTs at our center between January 2004 and December 2018.

There were four patients in this study (M:F= 1:1). The ages ranged from 27-53 years with a mean of 43.25 ± 11.84 years. The tumour was located in the thoracic region in 2 of the patients (50%), the lumbar region in one (25%) and thoracolumbar in the 4th patient. Three patients (75%) presented with back pain while limb weakness, sensory deficit and sphincteric dysfunction were present in all patients at presentation. The duration of symptoms were 2 months in 2 patients (50%) and 3 months in the other 2. None of the patients had neurofibromatosis. Gross total tumour excision was achieved in 2 patients (50%) and subtotal resection in the other 2. The tumours were high grade in three patients (75%) and low grade in one. Two patients had adjuvant radiotherapy. Two of the patients were dead within 6 months of the diagnosis, another one within 18 months while one patient is still alive 3 years after.

MPNSTs are very rare in our practice. Most of the tumours were high grade tumours and ran an aggressive course.