Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare tumours originating in the soft tissues. SFT development in the spine is an exceedingly rare event about which little is known. We describe a case of SFT of the thoracic spine in a 56-year-old woman. She presented with neurological deficits that required emergency resection, which was incomplete. Two subsequent local recurrences prompted further surgical procedures. At last follow-up, 12 months after the last procedure, function was satisfactory and there was no evidence of tumour recurrence. The management of SFTs is not well standardised, and no proven adjuvant treatments are available to date. Complete excision is effective in controlling disease progression. Prolonged follow-up is mandatory.