title: Synovial sarcoma of the spine: a case involving paraspinal muscle with extensive calcification and the surgical consideration in treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of the spine. This tumor may present as a painless mass of the spine or slowly enlarge, causing pain or neurologic deficits. As it is difficult to differentiate this lesion from other soft tissue tumors, synovial sarcoma requires histologic confirmation for definite diagnosis. Thus, the treatment strategy is often planned in the final step depending on the pathologic results. Despite its rare incidence, a few cases of primary or metastatic synovial sarcoma involving the spinal cord, foramen, vertebral body, or paraspinal muscles have been reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 29-year-old man with a synovial sarcoma in the paraspinal muscle of the cervical spine. The patient was evaluated radiologically and histologically. Plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed as part of the preoperative workup, and immunohistochemical and cytogenetic studies were additionally performed to identify the histologic features of the tumor. The patient underwent marginal resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. The patient has been followed up for 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article highlights the features of synovial sarcoma of the spine via a comprehensive review. Synovial sarcoma of the spine is uncommon, but it is a challenging issue in both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The currently available evidence suggests the use of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of synovial sarcoma, which includes complete resection and radiation therapy.
authors.forename: Junhyung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sun-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoon-La
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Go Eun
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Eun-Sang
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Whan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eoh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome