Yuan-Wei Zhang1, Qiang Xiao2, Ji-Huan Zeng2, Liang Deng3. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China; Medical Department of Graduate School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China. 3. Department of Orthopedics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: dengliang001137@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare tumors derived from mesenchymal tissues. Notably, despite the widespread reports of SFT in various parts of the body, it is extremely rare in spine, especially the lumbosacral spine, with only four previously reported cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 40-year-old Chinese man who suffered from low back and right leg pain for 11 years. Lumbar spine MRI indicated a dumbbell-shaped mass at the right L4 vertebra. After the first surgical resection, the tumor was diagnosed as schwannoma pathologically. Three years later, he presented with low back pain, numbness in both legs, and defecation incontinence. Imaging examination suggested tumor recurrence. The pathology of the second surgical specimen revealed features of SFT. So far, the patient has recovered well through the second extended resection and postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the fifth reported case of lumbar spine SFT, and its diagnosis is a difficult challenge. However, accurate diagnosis and complete resection of SFT in the suspected patients could extend life or improve quality of life.
BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare tumors derived from mesenchymal tissues. Notably, despite the widespread reports of SFT in various parts of the body, it is extremely rare in spine, especially the lumbosacral spine, with only four previously reported cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 40-year-old Chinese man who suffered from low back and right leg pain for 11 years. Lumbar spine MRI indicated a dumbbell-shaped mass at the right L4 vertebra. After the first surgical resection, the tumor was diagnosed as schwannoma pathologically. Three years later, he presented with low back pain, numbness in both legs, and defecation incontinence. Imaging examination suggested tumor recurrence. The pathology of the second surgical specimen revealed features of SFT. So far, the patient has recovered well through the second extended resection and postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the fifth reported case of lumbar spine SFT, and its diagnosis is a difficult challenge. However, accurate diagnosis and complete resection of SFT in the suspected patients could extend life or improve quality of life.