Abstract
Background: Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare
sarcomatous tumor that presents infrequently as an osseous lesion of the
spine. To our knowledge, few case reports exists regarding primary
lesions of the lumbar spine with only one report indicating thoracic
spine as a primary site. Case Description: We present a case of
a 32-year-old female presenting with primary osseous SEF with complaints
of axial and right sided thoracic back pain for 4 months. Imaging of the
thoracic spine revealed a mass at T5 with vertebra plana and central
spinal cord compression at T5-T6 without significant expansion of mass
to soft tissues or adjacent vertebral levels. We performed a T5
corpectomy with posterior spinal instrumented fusion from T3-T7.
Pathologic and immunohistochemical studies confirmed diagnosis of SEF. 1
year follow-up revealed no recurrence of disease and significant pain
relief without neurologic dysfunction. Conclusions: In light of
the extent of the vertebral body involvement, the severity of cord
compression, and the patients associated neurologic symptoms, a T5
corpectomy with T3-T7 posterior fusion was performed. Given the nature
of the spine, complete resection of these tumors is usually impossible
and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary for resolution
of disease.