We compare two cases of primary spinal atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), which rarely occurs in adults marked by SMARCA4 inactivation, and SMARCB1 inactivation for pediatric cases. AT/RT represents a highly malignant neoplasm comprising poorly differentiated constituents and rhabdoid cells, with SMARCB1(INI1) or infrequently SMARCA4 (BRG1) inactivation. These tumors are predominantly found in children but are rare in adults. While AT/RT can arise anywhere in the central nervous system, spinal cord localization is comparatively scarce. Despite mutation or loss of SMARCB1 at the 22q11.2 locus serving as the genetic hallmark of AT/RTs, infrequent cases of SMARCA4 inactivation with intact SMARCB1 protein expression are significant. We present each case of primary spinal tumors in a child and an adult, showing loss of the SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 proteins, respectively. Both tumors met the AT/RT diagnostic criteria. The histopathology demonstrated the presence of rhabdoid cells in both cases. Diagnosing primary spinal AT/RT with SMARCB1 protein loss remains a challenge. Nevertheless, the presence of SMARCB1 positivity alone must be noted to be insufficient to exclude the possibility of AT/RT diagnosis. In cases in which the diagnosis of AT/RT is highly suspected clinically, additional testing is warranted, including SMARCA4 analysis.
Keywords: AT/RT; BRG-1; INI-1; spinal tumor; spine.
© 2024 The Japan Neurosurgical Society.