"Histologically, they contain papillary elements arranged radially around a hyalinized fibrovascular core, forming perivascular pseudorosettes, with myxoid material between the blood vessel and tumour cells 9. "Balloons" (rounded eosinophilic PAS positive structures) are sometimes encountered 9."
"As is the case with ependymomas generally, myxopapillary ependymomas are GFAP, S100, and vimentin positive 9. CD99, AE1/AE3 and NCAM1 are also commonly positive 9."
"cauda equina neuroendocrine tumour (formerly known as paraganglioma)"
Expected headings
"Grading"
"Molecular markers"
"Plain radiograph / CT"
"Myxopapillary ependymomas represent 1-5% of all spinal tumours and 13% of all spinal ependymomas 14. They tend to have an earlier clinical presentation than other spinal ependymomas, with a mean age of presentation of 35 years. There is a slight male predominance."
"The most common presenting symptoms are low back, leg or sacral pain. Up to 25% of patients may present with leg weakness or sphincter dysfunction."
"They are well-defined intradural tumours. Classically, they present when larger and sausage-shaped, spanning more than one vertebral level, but small oval tumours are also seen. Smaller tumours tend to displace the nerve roots of the cauda equina; larger tumours often compress or encase them 8."