CASE 14238 Published on 22.02.2017

A rare case report of Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the trachea

Section

Chest imaging

Case Type

Anatomy and Functional Imaging

Authors

DHANYA ELSA JAMES
V.R RAJENDRAN
JINEESH THOTTATH
SHIKHA S PILLAI

GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL,CALICUT MEDICAL COLLEGE; CALICUT 673008 CALICUT; Email:dhanya2988@gmail.com

Patient

14 years, female

Categories
Area of Interest Lung ; Imaging Technique CT
Clinical History

A 14-year-old female presented with complaints of breathlessness upon exertion for 6 months, and aggravated since 1 week. Chest x-ray taken appeared unremarkable. Contrast enhanced CT was performed for further Evaluation.

Imaging Findings

Chest X ray PA view-trachea appeared central. No significant abnormality was noted.
CECT thorax showed a well defined enhancing polypoidal soft tissue density lesion in the left anterolateral wall of the trachea at the T2 vertebral Level, with significant luminal narrowing and mediastinal extension.
Bronchoscopy showed a polypoidal lesion in the lateral wall of the trachea projecting into the tracheal lumen with luminal narrowing.
Microscopy showed diffuse proliferation of round cells within a hyalinized stroma, which had high-grade nuclei, occasional nucleoli, and minimal cytoplasm.

Discussion

Primary endotracheal tumours are uncommon in childhood. The most common malignant endotracheal lesions are carcinoid tumour and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Inflammatory pseudotumour and endotracheal hamartoma are common benign pathologies. Most of the malignant lesions are found in adolescents while benign lesions like hemangiomas are commonly seen in infants and children [1].

These tumours most frequently present as wheezing, stridor and recurrent pneumonia in childhood. Imaging should be considered to rule out an obstructive process when there is no response to standard treatment with antibiotics and bronchodilators. Chest radiograph is usually normal. Contrast enhanced CT is the imaging modality of choice [1].

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) of the trachea is extremely rare with only 2 published cases. EES belongs to the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumours which also include osseous Ewing's sarcoma, Askin's tumour and PNET. They are neuroectodermal in origin and share the cytogenetic marker, translocation of chromosomes t (11;22)(q24;q12). The most common locations of EES are paravertebral region, lower extremities, chest wall, retroperitoneum, pelvis and hip [2].
The criteria proposed for the diagnosis of EES are absence of osseous involvement at MRI, no increased uptake in bone or periosteum on scintigraphy, and small blue round cells on histology [2]. Immunohistochemical and histochemical staining positive for glycogen(PAS), NSE, S-100 and MIC-2 marker [3].
The imaging features of EES on CT as an enhancing soft tissue mass of muscle attenuation are nonspecific. Necrosis and haemorrhage may correspond to low attenuation areas. On MRI EES is heterogenous, isointense to muscle on T1 and iso- to hyperintense on T2. Features suggestive of haemorrhage, fluid levels, serpentine flow voids and a pseudocapsule may be seen [2]. Tracheal EES manifests as an enhancing endoluminal mass with significant stenosis and mediastinal infiltration. Proper airway intervention at the time of diagnosis is important prior to definitive treatment [4].
The role of imaging is for staging, which includes a CT of the chest, Tc99 bone scan and FDG PET scan for evidence of metastatic disease. At FDG PET, this tumour can demonstrate avid uptake depending on metabolic activity [4]. Often the diagnosis of primary tracheal EES is made after bronchoscopy and biopsy.
The treatment of EES involves combined systemic chemotherapy and local therapy by surgical resection, radiation, or both.
In conclusion, endotracheal tumours in the adolescent population is more likely to be malignant. Although the imaging appearance of primary EES of the trachea is nonspecific it must be considered as a possibility in case of a rapidly growing endotracheal soft tissue mass.

Differential Diagnosis List
Primary Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the trachea
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
carcinoid
inflammatory pseudotumour
Final Diagnosis
Primary Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the trachea
Case information
URL: https://www.eurorad.org/case/14238
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.14238
ISSN: 1563-4086
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