Esthesioneuroblastoma metastatic to the thoracic intradural and extradural space

Background contextEthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare tumor of the olfactory epithelium that has been shown to metastasize mostly to the cervical lymphatics, with only infrequent spread to other locations. We report a rare case of ENB characterized by recurrence and distant metastasis to the T7–T8 intradural and extradural space.PurposeTo report a rare case of recurrent ENB metastatic to the thoracic intradural and extradural space.Study design/settingCase report with a review of the literature.MethodsA 64-year-old man with recurrent ENB presented with chronic pain in the neck, shoulder, and back. His neurologic exam was normal. Computed tomography of the chest showed no pulmonary metastasis and a high-attenuation spinal canal mass at T8 was noted on magnetic resonance imaging. A laminectomy at T7–T8 was performed for resection of a large epidural mass. A tumor was seen penetrating through the dura, and a midline durotomy was performed for resection of a large intradural mass. Frozen section and permanent stains were consistent with metastatic ENB.ResultsThe postoperative period was uneventful, and included pain management and physical therapy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. The patient remains free of spinal recurrence 2 years after surgery.ConclusionsMetastasis of ENB to the spinal column is rare, and of those instances, 80% are localized to the cauda equina. Recurrent ENB metastatic to the thoracic intradural and extradural space is extremely rare, and was successfully treated with surgical resection.