title: Spindle cell neoplasm of the thoracic spine.
abstract: The case is a 56-year-old woman who presented with cord compression from a lesion of the thoracic spine. Histologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a spindle cell sarcoma. Ultrastructural analysis showed features characteristic of a leiomyosarcoma. Subsequent discussion with the patient revealed a history of hysterectomy performed for fibroid uterus 5 years before the current presentation. Review of the previous surgical specimen confirmed the presence of a leiomyosarcoma originally interpreted as a large infarcted myoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arnesen
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D003893:Desmin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003893:Desmin; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin