Primary spinal intramedullary primitive neuroectodermal tumour in an adult

ABSTRACT

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumour [PNET] is believed to be very rare. A review of the available literature revealed 14 cases of spinal PNET, which affected the paediatric age group but no previously reported cases involved an adult. A 42-year-old patient presented with weakness of both lower limbs and signs of upper motor neuron lesion. Intramedullary PNET was discovered after neurological deterioration following C3-4, C5-6 and C6-7 discectomy. Patient received postoperative radiotherapy, however, he died 8 months later from brain metastasis. As this is the first case of its kind in the literature, we believe it is worth reporting to point out the possibility of the existence of such a lesion in the spinal cord