Solitary thoracic Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumor presenting after kidney transplant: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumors (EBV-SMTs) are rare neoplasms that primarily occur in the setting of immunosuppression from HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant, or congenital/primary immunodeficiencies. The majority of posttransplant patients present with multifocal disease; however, solitary spine tumors can occur at initial presentation. OBSERVATIONS: The authors present the case of a solitary spinal EBV-SMT presenting 1 year after a renal transplant. LESSONS: Although EBV-SMTs are a rare entity, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary spine tumors in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25754.