Abstract
Cauda equina tumors are rare neoplasms of the spinal canal with an estimated prevalence of 0.03 per 100,000 persons. They are more frequently encountered in adults, in the fourth or fifth decade of life, with a slight male predominance. Most common pathologies include nerve sheath tumors, ependymomas, paragangliomas, lymphomas, and hemangiomas. Metastatic lesions either from the brain or other systemic tumors may appear in that location as well. Lipomas, teratomas, and dermoid cysts are more commonly seen in the pediatric population. The majority of patients present with radiculopathy symptoms, followed by low back pain and sphincter dysfunction. Standard treatment aims at complete surgical resection, followed by adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy, depending on the extent of resection at initial surgery, histopathology, and local invasion. Reported cure rates can exceed 90% when complete removal is achieved. Subtotal resection seems to be the primary risk factor for recurrence.
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