Malignant spinal neurofibrosarcoma

Abstract

Study design: A report of a case of metastatic spinal neurofibrosarcoma.

Objective: To document metastatic neurofibrosarcoma as a cause of spinal cord compression and to review the literature.

Summary of background data: Three previously reported cases of metastatic neurofibrosarcoma of the spine were reviewed.

Methods: The patient's clinical record and radiologic investigations as well as the result of a search of the English literature are reported. Magnetic resonance images, computed tomographic scans, and histology photomicrographs are displayed.

Results: Paraparesis developed in this patient, due to a posterior extradural thoracic spinal cord compression by a neurofibrosarcoma believed to be metastatic from a neurofibrosarcoma of the femoral nerve.

Conclusions: Malignant spinal metastasis remains a rare complication of neurofibromatosis, with a very poor prognosis.