Malignant spinal neurofibrosarcoma.

Abstract

A report of a case of metastatic spinal neurofibrosarcoma. To document metastatic neurofibrosarcoma as a cause of spinal cord compression and to review the literature. Three previously reported cases of metastatic neurofibrosarcoma of the spine were reviewed. 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. 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. Malignant spinal metastasis remains a rare complication of neurofibromatosis, with a very poor prognosis.