Malignant triton tumor of the lumbar spine.
METHODS
A case report of surgically treated malignant triton tumor of the L2 nerve root.


OBJECTIVE
To discuss treatment methods of the rare malignant triton tumor.


BACKGROUND
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are neoplasms that most often arise in peripheral nerves or in neurofibromas. Malignant triton tumor is a histologic variant of those tumors.


METHODS
A 58-years-old male patient was admitted with severe back and leg pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a dumbbell-shaped tumor over the right L2 nerve root. The tumor mass was removed posteriorly and the spine was stabilized by transpedicular screws followed by radiation therapy.


RESULTS
The tumor was diagnosed as "malignant triton tumor." There was no sign of metastasis during the 8 months of follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case, the diagnosis of triton tumor is based solely on microscopic evidence of the neural tissue accompanied by rhabdomyoblasts and immunohistochemical examination. Patients with malignant triton tumors are usually younger than age 35. Our patient is 1 of the oldest patients with tumor occurrence in the spinal canal. Although our patient still has no evidence of recurrence, the prognosis is poor for this group of patients.
Yimaz
M Reşat
MR
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, SSK Okmeydani Hospital, Okmeydani, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bek
Sirzat
S
Bekmezci
Taner
T
Gökduman
Cem
C
Solak A
A Sükrü
AS
D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001863:Bone Screws; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*