Spinal solitary fibrous tumors: a series of four patients: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Intraspinal solitary fibrous tumors, which are rare mesenchymal tumors, have previously been reported as case reports. We review our experience and, to our knowledge, the first small institutional series with respect to clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical management, pathohistological analysis, progression-free survival, and long-term outcome.


METHODS
In this retrospective review, four patients (three male and one female) ranging in age from 17 to 59 years (mean, 38.5 yr) had spinal solitary fibromas located throughout the spinal canal. Three tumors were located in the thoracic region and one in the cervical spine. All patients presented with pain and paresthesia. Two patients had an associated spinal deformity. All had gross total resection as confirmed by postoperative imaging studies.


METHODS
All four patients underwent surgical treatment for spinal solitary fibromas. None of these patients underwent irradiation or chemotherapy after surgery at our center; therefore, outcome was attributed to surgery alone. There were no surgical deaths, and the 5-year actuarial survival rate was 100%. At the most recent follow-up examination, neurological function was stable or improved in 90% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with solitary fibrous tumors have a long survival. These tumors have an indolent course, and radiotherapy or chemotherapy seems to be unnecessary.
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. gjallo1@jhmi.edu
George I
GI
Jallo
Chanland
C
Roonprapunt
Karl
K
Kothbauer
Diana
D
Freed
Jeff
J
Allen
Fred
F
Epstein
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018218:Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome