Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the thoracic epidural space: case report and review of the literature.

The occurrence of primary extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) of the spinal epidural space has been rarely reported in the literature. The clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of a case of EES occurring in the thoracic epidural space are presented. A 37-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an epidural mass at the T8-9 level. Laminectomy and partial resection of the tumor were performed. The differential diagnosis of a spinal epidural mass is broad. Histopathological and molecular cytogenetic examinations confirmed an EES arising from the thoracic epidural space. Despite receiving both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died of respiratory insufficiency due to medulla oblongata metastasis 22 months after the initial consultation. Awareness of this entity will allow this rare diagnosis to be considered and facilitate appropriate management. A review of the literature on spinal epidural EES is also presented.