Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: a case report

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 100 - 103
• Main Authors: Anderson, J R, Gullan, R W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-01-1987; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cauda Equina; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Neurology; Paraganglioma - pathology; Paraganglioma - surgery; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - pathology; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - surgery; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; Human; Pathology; Nervous system diseases; Vertebral canal; Paraganglioma; Tumor; Filum terminale
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.50.1.100

This case report describes a paraganglioma of the cauda equina in a 63 year old woman. Very few examples of paraganglioma have been recorded in this site. Histologically these neoplasms may have considerable similarity with ependymoma, the most common neoplasm of the lower spinal cord, and the diagnosis can be easily missed unless special techniques are employed. The clinical and pathological data obtained from this and the other reported examples suggests that paragangliomas of the cauda equina are benign, slowly growing neoplasms. In contrast to ependymomas and to paragangliomas elsewhere, they are well circumscribed, amenable to complete resection and have an excellent prognosis.