Cauda equina paraganglioma with ependymoma-like histology: a case report.
Paraganglioma affecting the cauda equina region is very rare and can be     misinterpreted as an ependymoma which is more common at this site. A 38-year-old     woman with a paraganglioma in the cauda equina is presented. MRI revealed a     well-circumscribed, intradural, extramedullary tumor nodule with the dimensions     of 2.5x1x1 cm. The patient underwent L3 laminectomy and total excision of the     tumor. The tumor was diagnosed as ependymoma and the patient was decided to     undergo adjuvant radiotherapy. The patient applied to our medical center for a     second opinion. Histopathologically, her tumor was found to be a paraganglioma     with ependymal features. Therefore no adjuvant therapy was applied. There is no     evidence of recurrence or metastases for 15 months after her operation.     Paraganglioma in the cauda equina/ filum terminale is very rare and can be     misdiagnosed as ependymoma especially when it exhibits ependymoma-like     histology. This rare form of paraganglioma behaves like a WHO grade I tumor of     CNS like classic paraganglioma. No recurrence or metastasis is expected when it     is totally resected. Morphology can be misleading hence immunohistochemistry     and/or ultrastructural study is necessary for correct diagnosis.
Maltepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Istanbul, Turkey. ahmetmidi@yahoo.com
Ahmet
A
Midi
Arzu Nese
AN
Yener
Aydin
A
Sav
Rahmi
R
Cubuk
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*