Spinal solitary fibrous tumor: seventh reported case and review of the literature

We present the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of a solitary fibrous tumor in the spinal cord. This case is the seventh spinal solitary fibrous tumor in the literature. The tumor caused clinical symptoms in a 70-year-old female, which indicated compression of the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural extramedullary mass at T3 vertebral level. Surgically, the tumor was firm, in an intradural extramedullary location and attached to the dura. Histologically, the tumor was composed of spindle cells in a collagen-rich matrix but exhibited regional variations. CD34 and vimentin were diffusely positive during immunohistochemical stain testing. The tumor displayed no positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin or desmin. The Ki-67 labeling index was low. Solitary fibrous tumors have been found in a variety of locations suggesting that a solitary fibrous tumor has a mesenchymal origin. This rare tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal tumors.