We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the sacroiliac joint in a 21-year-old male mimicking tubercular sacroiliitis, a rare entity not reported in literature. He presented with pain in the lower back radiating to the right lower limb along with constitutional symptoms of 3 months duration. On examination, the right sacroiliac joint was tender. The laboratory investigations showed anaemia, leukocytosis and raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate. On X-ray, features of right sacroiliitis were seen. This was further investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed features consistent with tubercular sacroiliitis. Patient was then started on antitubercular treatment, but the improvement was not consistent. So, a contrast MRI was done, which indicated features of primary sarcoma. It was then further confirmed by a computed tomography-guided biopsy, which showed features consistent with Ewing's sarcoma of the sacroiliac joint.
Introduction
Unilateral sacroiliitis is always seen as infective unless proved otherwise. Because of the widespread prevalence of tuberculosis in developing countries, this is usually considered as tubercular sacroiliitis. However, we encountered a diagnostic dilemma where unilateral sacroiliitis was managed on the lines of tubercular sacroiliitis after clinico-radiological assessment, which later proved to be Ewing's sarcoma.
Ewing's sarcoma may mimic osteomyelitis [
Case Report
A 21-year-old patient presented to us with low back pain of 3 months duration, which was moderate in intensity radiating down the right lower limb, aggravated by strenuous activity, prolonged standing and sitting and was relieved partially by lying down and analgesics. There was a history of low grade fever, malaise and loss of appetite. There was no history of trauma, known infection or contact with tuberculosis. There was no involvement of any other joints and rectal and urinary complaints.
On examination, there was localized tenderness over the right sacroiliac joint. Sacroiliac provocation tests were positive. Lumbar spine and hip examination were normal. The left sacroiliac joint was also normal. The peripheral joints and neurological examination were normal as well. Investigations revealed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 45 mm, haemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL and total leucocyte count of 12,500. The serum chemistry and urine analysis was normal. The chest radiograph was normal and tuberculin test was indeterminate (8 mm after 72 hours). Digital radiograph showed blurring, loss of cortical margins and juxta-articular sclerosis, suggestive of sacroilitis (
Based on the above findings, the diagnosis of tubercular sacroiliitis was made and the patient started on antitubercular therapy. After the 1-month follow-up, patient symptoms improved and objectively, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) came down to 9. The patient was continued on the same medication for the next 2 months. After 3 months, the patient complained of persistent pain with increase in intensity and the continuance of low grade fever off and on. At this time, a repeat MRI with contrast was done, which revealed a heterogeneous mass lesion involving the right iliacus, gluteal and paraspinal muscles with involvement of the right iliac wing, sacral ala and right sacroiliac joint (isointense on T1W and hyperintense on T2W with post contrast enhancement) (
Discussion
Ewing's sarcoma accounts for approximately 10% of malignant bone tumors. The male: female ratio is 3:2. Approximately 90% of the affected patients are between 5 and 30 years [
Despite such infections, particularly tuberculosis, being very common in developing countries and the initial MRI also pointing to the infective pathology, an alternative diagnosis must always be thought in cases of unilateral sacroiliitis if the patient is not responding adequately to the treatment. The differential diagnosis of unilateral sacroiliac involvement should include infectious sacroiliitis, Reiter syndrome, psoriatic sacroiliitis and tumors, both primary and metastatic. The value of plain films of a sacroiliac region is compromised by the anatomy of the iliac bone and by the overlying structures. Therefore, MRI, computer tomography and bone scans are necessary [
Constitutional symptoms like fever, anemia and elevation of total leucocyte count, ESR and lactate dehydrogenase can be seen in tuberculosis as well as in Ewing's sarcoma and should not be relied upon blindly. They have been reported to indicate more extensive disease and a worse prognosis.
The classical clinical and radiological presentation of Ewing's sarcoma of the iliac bone may not be the rule; one should be highly suspicious of the disease even if there is no direct pointer to the disease, as was encountered in our case. Biopsy and histopathological examination is often necessary when the clinical and radiological picture is ambiguous.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.