MALIGNANT MEDIASTINAL NEUROECTODERMAL TUMOR - CASE-REPORT

Peripheral malignant neuroectodermal tumors are rare and agressive sma ll-cell tumors seen predominantly in children and young adults. Medias tinal location is very uncommon. A mediastinal primitive neuroectoderm al tumor was diagnosed in a 27-year-old man. Despite treatment combini ng surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, disease recurred locally al ong with lungs, spinal and epidural metastases, leading to death. CT a nd MRI examinations show heterogenous masses with necrosis, hemorrhage and intense enhancement after Gadolinium injection. The CT and MRI fi ndings are not specific and the diagnosis is based on pathologic, immu nohistochemical and electron microscopic features. Although uncommon, peripheral neuroectodermal tumor should be considered in the different ial diagnosis of posterior mediastinal masses in children and young ad ults.