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Abstract

Background: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are commonly found in the thorax, however extrathoracic locations may present with symptoms of nerve compression.

Case description: The patient is a 38-year-old woman with two years of back pain, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and right buttock pain. Imaging showed an enhancing, cystic mass in the right upper pelvis continuous with the S1 nerve root suspicious for nerve sheath tumor. The mass was resected and a diagnosis of SFT was made.

Conclusions: While the patient’s mass was initially thought to be a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, pathology revealed that it was a SFT. We highlight the importance of tissue diagnosis and complete resection for treatment.

Key messages: While rare, solitary fibrous tumors can be found in extrathoracic sites including abutting the S1 nerve root. Imaging suggested peripheral nerve sheath tumor, however permanent pathology revealed a solitary fibrous tumor. We highlight the importance of tissue diagnosis and complete resection for treatment.

Key words

solitary fibrous tumor, peripheral nerve sheath tumor, mimic

Introduction

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) may be found in many locations including the thorax, CNS, and abdomen/pelvis [1-3]. Non-invasive imaging is generally used for initial diagnosis of mass lesions. We present the case of a mass intimately associated with the S1 nerve that was initially diagnosed as a peripheral nerve sheath tumor on imaging. Permanent pathology, however, revealed a SFT. Fewer than 5 cases of SFT in locations associated with peripheral nerves or nerve roots have been documented [4-7]. Here, we present the case of a woman that presented with symptoms of S1 nerve compression and was found to have a mass associated with the S1 nerve that was eventually diagnosed as a SFT.

Case history

The patient is a 38-year-old woman who presented with a two-year history of back pain, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and right buttock pain. Her medical history was unremarkable and surgical history included benign uterine polyp removal. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis without contrast that demonstrated a 3.7 x 2.9 x 4.1 cm cystic lesion in the right posterior lateral pelvis (Figure 1). Of note, the patient had a prior CT of the abdomen/pelvis done 8 years earlier for abdominal pain that did not show the lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis with contrast demonstrated that the multi-loculated, enhancing, cystic mass in the right upper pelvis was separate from the right ovary and contiguous with the R S1 nerve root (Figure 1). At this time, a diagnosis of cystic peripheral nerve sheath tumor was favored. She was referred to our office for further evaluation.

Figure 1. Pre-operative CT (top) and MR (bottom) imaging. Coronal (top left) and axial (top right) CT imaging of the lesion. The lesion, marked with an open arrow, had a hypodense center consistent with a cystic mass. T2 axial (bottom left) and T1 post-contrast (bottom right) MRI demonstrating the multi-loculated structure and contrast-enhancing rim of the lesion.

On exam, the patient had reduced sensation to pin prick in the right leg in the S1 nerve root distribution. Her reflexes were 1+ in the bilateral lower extremities and 3+ in the bilateral upper extremities. Otherwise, her neurological examination, including lower extremity strength, was normal.

We recommended surgical biopsy and resection via a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The tumor was found inferior to the right iliac vessels. The S1 nerve root appeared to be entering the superior aspect of the tumor. Branches of the internal iliac artery supplying the lesion were then ligated, the peritoneum transected, and the anterior surface of the tumor was exposed.

No motor responses were noted upon stimulation of the anterior surface of the tumor, so the anterior surface was opened and the cystic contents were drained. A cupped forceps was used to evacuate the solid contents of the tumor. The entire course of the S1 nerve was identified to its exit from the foramen, and a gross total resection was achieved.

Final pathology showed sheets of lesional cells with oval to spindled nuclei and focal clear/foamy cytoplasm in the background of delicate vasculature. No necrosis was identified. Focal increased mitotic activity was seen- up to 8 per high-power field (HPF). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed with adequate controls for further evaluation of the specimen. The tumor cells were positive for CD34, STAT6, nuclear staining of CD117, and focally positive for Vimentin (Figure 2). The tumor cells were negative for AE1/3, PanCK, inhibin, calretinin, RCC, Synaptophysin, chromogranin, SOX10, S100, HMB45, SMA, GFAP, desmin, PAX8, PLAP, DOG-1, SALL4, OCT3/4 and EMA. Furthermore, the Ki-67 index was approximately 15%.

Figure 2. Tissue diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of STAT6 (left), CD34 (middle), and vimentin (right). The specimen was positive for all three markers and supported a diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor.

Given the aforementioned histological and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) was made.  A recently developed four-variable risk stratification model for development of metastasis in solitary fibrous tumors was used to guide prognosis. Given a patient age of < 55, tumor size of < 5 cm, mitotic count > 4/HPF, and < 10% tumor necrosis a total score of 2/7 was obtained. The tumor was therefore classified as low risk for development of metastasis. This modified four-variable model (tumor necrosis added as a fourth variable) has been demonstrated to enhance predictive power [8,9].

Discussion

Due to its close its intimate association with the S1 nerve, this lesion was initially favored to be a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Permanent pathology, however, demonstrated that the lesion was, in fact, a SFT. These tumors are fibroblastic mesenchymal neoplasms that typically do not metastasize [8-11]. These lesions may arise in a variety of locations including the thorax, CNS, and abdomen/pelvis [1-3]. They are more commonly found in the soft tissues but may also be found in the viscera [3]. Historically, SFTs were considered separate from hemangiopericytomas [12]. Refinement of IHC and genetic testing, including evaluation for the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion, demonstrated that SFTs and hemangiopericytomas shared overlapping features [13]. SFT is currently the preferred terminology for these tumors.

SFTs may initially be diagnosed with CT or MR imaging, however investigation of the tissue histologically is required for diagnosis. Cellularity of these tumors varies. Hypocellular tumors typically appear as spindled cells in a stroma of dense collagen [14]. Hypercellular tumors do not have a dense collagen background. Instead, nests of rounded/ovoid cells are found with sparse collagen, prominent capillaries, and occasionally necrosis [14]. In this case, the tumor sample had a mixture of both characteristics. IHC may be used to support the histological diagnosis. STAT6 staining is often positive in SFTs, as it was in this case [15-17]. Other markers include CD34 and vimentin, which were both positive in this case. The tumor cells must also be negative for EMA, S100, and desmin, as was also true in this case [15-17].

Due to its intimate association with the S1 nerve, we favored peripheral nerve sheath tumor as our pre-operative diagnosis based on the CT and MR imaging. Based on its location in the pelvis other diagnoses included ovarian tumor, fibroma, or uterine leiomyoma. These diagnoses were less favored given the patient’s symptoms and imaging characteristics.

Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for SFTs, including extrathoracic SFTs [2,18-20]. Overall, 5-year survival is 84% and local recurrence and rate of metastasis are 29% and 34% respectively [2]. While there is evidence for increased rates of recurrence of extrathoracic SFTs after surgical resection, it remains the preferred treatment [20]. There is generally little role for radiation therapy in the treatment of SFTs, however there are case reports of radiation treatment for recurrent or incompletely resected SFTs [21,22]. Similarly, chemotherapy has a limited role in treatment of SFTs. Studies have shown mixed results with anthracycline-based chemotherapy and it is not generally recommended [23,24]. However, newer biological agents such as temozolomide, bevacizumab, and sunitinib have showed some promise in the treatment of recurrent or malignant SFTs [25,26].

Conclusions

While rare, solitary fibrous tumors can be found in extrathoracic sites such as the pelvis. In this report, we review the case of a patient who presented with signs and symptoms attributable to S1 nerve root compression with imaging demonstrating a mass abutting the S1 nerve root. It was initially thought to be a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, however permanent pathology revealed that it was a SFT. We highlight the importance of tissue diagnosis and complete resection for treatment. Safe surgical treatment involves a multi-disciplinary team of general and neurological surgeons.

References

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