Abstract
Ependymomas constitute 4-6% of primary central nervous system tumors. Spinal ependymomas are most frequently found in intramedullary region but few cases of intradural extramedullary ependymoma have also been reported. We report a 24-year-old male patient with a suspected case of intradural extramedullary ependymoma. Magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine depicted an intradural mass from L1-L4 level. The spinal lesion was isointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images, relative to the spinal cord. Laminectomy L1-L4 with gross-total excision was performed. Histopathological examination was inconclusive but suggested the possibility of ependymoma. Neurological recovery was initially observed but after few months symptoms worsened.
Highlights
Tumors of spinal cord constitute 15% of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors [1,2] They can be categorized as intradural or extradural, the former being either intramedullary or extramedullary depending on their location
Ependymomas are the most frequent glial cells derived tumors found in the spinal cord
Spinal cord tumors tumors account for 15% of all CNS tumors
Summary
Tumors of spinal cord constitute 15% of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors [1,2] They can be categorized as intradural or extradural, the former being either intramedullary (involving the substance of spinal cord) or extramedullary (outside the spinal cord) depending on their location. Ependymomas are the most frequent glial cells derived tumors found in the spinal cord. Spinal ependymomas are intradural intramedullary tumors with predominance in adults. Current literature suggests that very few cases of such tumors have been reported (Table 1). These spinal tumors are rare and benign but compressive lesions secondary to ependymoma could lead to range of symptoms from lumbago (lower back pain), sensory and motor disturbances to acute paraplegia [3,4,5,6,7]. We report a rare and suspected case of intradural extramedullary ependymoma in a 24-year-old male. Final histology report demonstrated inconclusive result and suggested that the possibility of ependymoma could not be entirely excluded
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