PRIMARY MYXOPAPILLARY EPENDYMOMA OF FOURTH VENTRICLE: FIRST CASE REPORT IN A TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD

Abstract

Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE), a rare pathological subtype of ependymoma which shows predilection for middle-aged adults between third and fifth decades of life. It is a benign tumor that primarily occurs at filum terminale of spinal cord with a rare possibility to metastasize to the brain. Primary intracranial MPEs have been reported only rarely. Two-year-old child presented with a space-occupying lesion in fourth ventricle. Based on clinical and radiological findings, particularly owing to patient’s age differential diagnosis of medulloblastoma was considered. Biopsy followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis yielded diagnosis of primary intracranial myxopapillary ependymoma. In conclusion, MPEs can occur anywhere in intracranial space and in any age group. Despite their indolent behavior, their metastatic potential necessitates thorough investigation to rule out former before establishing diagnosis of primary intracranial MPE.