Spinal Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma producing Cord Compression: Case Report

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a well known neoplasm that probably originates from histiocytes and involves not only soft tissue but also bone. The favorite sites of this tumor are the extremities; the central nervous system is rarely involved. Recently we treated a 65-year-old female who presented with neurological symptoms of spinal cord compression at the level of Thl and Th2. A computed tomographic scan revealed a huge extradural tumor in that area. The tumor was subtotally removed, and the histological diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Although eight similar cases have been reported, this is the first reported case from Japan, according to our review of the literature.