• Muhammad Omar Chohan, Tausif Rehman, Lisa A Cerilli, Kelly Devers, Rafael Medina-Flores, and Paul Turner.
• Department of Neurosurgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
• Spine. 2010 Sep 15; 35 (20): E1072-5.

Study DesignThis is a single case-based report.ObjectiveWe report the first case of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) presenting as primary metastasis to the spine.Summary Of Background DataETT is an extremely rare form of gestational trophoblastic neoplasm with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. A 36-year-old, postpartum woman presented with severe low back pain and was found to have a contrast-enhancing lesion in lower thoracic spine subsequently confirmed as ETT.MethodsThe patient data, history, clinical examination findings, laboratory, and histopathology data and imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed and findings reported. A literature search using Pubmed and Cochrane database was conducted.ResultWe described the first case of an ETT to present as a primary metastasis to the spine.ConclusionThis first report of metastasis of ETT to the spine adds significant new information to the growing literature of this rare and newly identified tumor. It also alerts the neurosurgeon into considering the diagnosis with appropriate clinical presentation. As more number of cases of nervous system involvement with this tumor are reported, crucial information on prognostic factors and treatment regimens will emerge.

26 keywords...

hide…