title: Magnetic resonance image findings of primary intradural Ewing sarcoma of the cauda equina: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Involvement of the cauda equina in Ewing sarcoma (ES) is extremely rare, and only few cases are reported in literature. However, ES of cauda equina shares some neuroradiological features with other neoplasms that can involve the intradural space. Therefore, differential diagnosis with other tumors of cauda equina should be considered by neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons to provide appropriate treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a rare case of intradural extramedullary primary ES.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 44-year-old woman presenting with the rapid onset of cauda equina syndrome. Radiological analysis showed multiple intradural masses, extending from L1 to S3 level. After radical surgery, lesions were histologically defined as ES. We present a literature review, analyzing magnetic resonance image (MRI) features of primary intradural ES of the cauda equina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four cases of primitive ES arising from the cauda equina have been reported in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the low number of reported cases, it is not possible to describe pathognomonic MRI findings for intradural ES of the cauda equina. However, few tumors show similar MRI features. Therefore, despite its rarity, intradural ES should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of spinal tumors involving cauda equina.
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: emilio.lozupone@live.it.
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Lozupone
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Matia
authors: M
authors: Martucci
authors: Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Rigante
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Gaudino
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe Maria
authors: GM
authors: Di Lella
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University School of Medicine, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 000168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Colosimo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Cauda equina syndrome; Intradural extramedullary; Primary Ewing sarcoma