Ewing Sarcoma; Suprasellar Mass in a Pediatric Patient


Aaron Bush D.O., Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Yoon Cho D.O., Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Weston Zickgraf D.O., Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Donald von Borstel D.O. Oklahoma State University Medical Center







Funding associated with this manuscript: No funding was received to produce this manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest: No conflicts of interest to disclose with the production of this manuscript.

Key Words: Ewing Sarcoma, Suprasellar Mass, Pediatrics









Abstract

A common differential diagnosis within the field of neuroradiology is the potential etiologies of a suprasellar mass. Unlike in the adult population, there is a limited differential diagnosis when considering suprasellar masses in children1. This differential includes craniopharyngiomas, germinomas, hypothalamic low-grade glioma, hypothalamic hamartoma, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. While many of these lesions are benign in nature, some have malignant potential and determining the proper work-up and evaluation of these lesions is critical. In this article, we discuss a pediatric patient who presents with symptoms of mass effect due to a suprasellar mass causing vision loss and headaches. The patient was diagnosed via CT and MRI in addition to endoscopic evaluation and biopsy by an ENT physician. This case report focuses on the imaging and differential considerations in these patients, as well as additional points to consider in the evaluation and management of patients with Ewing Sarcoma.

Introduction

Ewing sarcoma is a group of highly malignant tumors involving a chromosomal abnormality that results in abnormal growth of osseous structures2. While these often present within the diaphysis of long bones in patients aged 4-25-years-old, they can occur in any location and age population. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common malignant tumor, following osteosarcoma, derived from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of the bone marrow or neuroectodermal cells (small round blue cell tumor)3. Presenting symptoms are often pain, fever, leukocytosis, and elevated ESR mimicking an infectious etiology. Prognosis is poor with a 5 year survival rate of approximately 40%.

Case Report

Our patient is an 11-year-old female without significant past medical history who presented with 4-weeks of progressive vision loss and worsening headache. The patient denied a recent history of trauma or injury to the region. On physical exam, the patient had numbness to palpation around the left eye. At first, the patient was started on steroid treatments with Decadron, but the patient's symptoms failed to improve. A CT of the brain was performed revealing a suprasellar mass involving the left orbit (Figure 1). Subsequently, a follow up MRI of the brain and orbits with and without intravenous contrast was performed and demonstrated a sphenoid mass extending to the posterior left orbit (Figure 2). Direct visualization by ENT was performed via endoscopic evaluation (Figure 3), which showed a large mass protruding from the posterior ethmoidal air cell into the anterior ethmoidal air cell with complete erosion of the posterior ethmoid air cells. A punch biopsy was performed and pathology showed a small round blue cell tumor consistent with an Ewing sarcoma (Figure 4).

Follow-up PET/CT was performed that showed the left sphenoid mass with extension into the medial wall of the right orbit, suggesting the mass was extending across the midline (Figure 5). Bilateral bone marrow biopsies, port placement, and echocardiogram were then performed for staging and chemotherapy planning. Ophthalmology was also consulted and determined the patient had a new afferent pupillary defect in addition to ptosis and motility impingement that had worsened from the week prior. Due to rapidly worsening symptoms, emergent chemotherapy was initiated with doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine.

Repeat MRI showed continued progression of the tumor into the left orbit and encasing the left cavernous internal carotid artery. Final pathology results were consistent with Ewing’s sarcoma. Patient was discharged with chemotherapy and radiation therapy planning.







Figure 1: Non-contrast enhanced CT axial (A.) and sagittal (B.) planes demonstrating a mass (yellow arrow) centered in the left sphenoid extending into the superior and posterior left orbit. Additionally, there is cortical destruction (red arrow) and no evidence of internal mineralization.







Figure 2: Coronal (A) and sagittal (B) post-contrast enhanced MRI T1 fat-saturated sequences demonstrating a large mass centered in the left sphenoid (yellow arrows) extending into the superior and posterior left orbit with multiple internal flow voids (red arrow). The mass enhances avidly on post-contrast imaging.





Figure 3: Intraoperative endoscopic image of the left nasal cavity. A tan/white mass (yellow arrow) was visualized protruding from the posterior ethmoidal air cell.






Figure 4: Multiple pathology slides demonstrating tumor invasion into and beneath the submucosa (A) and (B). Small round blue cell tumor with few mitosis (red arrow) (C). CD99 sensitive marker for Ewing’s sarcoma showing diffuse membranous staining (D).




Figure 5: PET Whole Body Attenuation Correction demonstrating increased radiopharmaceutical activity (yellow circle) in the left sphenoid mass with extension of activity into the medial wall of the right orbit suggesting extension of the mass crossing the midline.

Discussion

Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is in a highly malignant “small, round cell” tumor family that, on histology, presents with a higher nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio with indistinct cell membranes with few mitosis. Additional members of this family include chondrosarcoma, esthesioneuroblastoma, and other poorly differentiated tumors1. Incidence of ES is low in the adult population and generally occurs in childhood or early adolescence period. ES typically presents in the long bones of the axial skeleton or sacrum and ilium. Cases involving the skull base only include 1-4% 3.

General imaging characteristics on radiograph include aggressive features and often present with a permeative or moth-eaten osteolytic appearance in addition to cortical erosion and periostitis. On MRI, the tumor features T1 hypo- to iso-intense signal with heterogeneous enhancement on postcontrast imaging. The tumor also shows avid T2 hyperintense signal. 4

The differential considerations of these masses are broad but one consideration, being skull based in location, is a chondrosarcoma. These tumors infrequently involve the craniofacial region at around 2% of the time. Imaging features include a high T2 signal with vivid contrast enhancement. On CT, chondrosarcoma demonstrates matrix calcification in 94% of cases. Chondrosarcoma also typically presents in an “off-midline” location. 5 Another differential consideration for this location is esthesioneuroblastoma, which often involves the ethmoid sinus and extends through the lamina papyracea. The imaging findings of esthesioneuroblastoma includes a lobulated mass with a T2-hyperintense cystic mass that shows intralesional flow voids. The tumor also shows an avid enhancement. Esthesioneuroblastoma has a bimodal distribution with one peak in young adults (around 20s) and another peak in the 50-60 age group. A common presenting symptom is epistaxis.6

Treatment of choice is systemic chemotherapy with surgery and/or radiation with chemotherapy depending on the location and size of tumor.6 Prognosis is poor depending on size, site of primary tumor, tumor metastasis, and age of the patient. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 50-75%. 2

Conclusion

Our patient in this case report presents with an atypical location of a highly malignant pathology. Diagnosis is often delayed due to vague and non-specific symptoms. It is important to know the imaging characteristics of Ewing sarcoma in order to make an accurate and efficient diagnosis. This is a rare but aggressive tumor and providing appropriate therapy for the patient in a timely manner is necessary to increase survival rates. Diagnosis and treatment of Ewing sarcoma involve a multidisciplinary approach. In this case alone, ENT, Ophthalmology, Radiology, and Pathology were all required for the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Treatment will require many of these same medical subspecialties in addition to radiation and chemotherapy treatments.







References

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