Myxopapillary ependymoma of the cauda equina in a 5-year-old boy

Asian Spine J. 2014 Dec;8(6):846-51. doi: 10.4184/asj.2014.8.6.846. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

Abstract

Myxopapillary ependymoma in childhood typically occurs in the central nervous system. There are few surgical cases of myxopapillary ependymoma of the cauda equina in children. We report a case of myxopapillary ependymoma of the cauda equina in a 5-year-old boy, who presented with leg pain and abnormal gait. Subtotal resection surgery was performed. Following the subtotal tumor resection, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging evaluation showed a recurrent tumor. As a result, we performed a second subtotal tumor resection and followed with postoperative radiation therapy. No further evidence of the disease has been noted elsewhere in the patient in over ten years of follow-up. Myxopapillary ependymoma of the cauda equina in a young boy was improved by subtotal tumor resection and postoperative radiation therapy.

Keywords: Cauda equina; Child; Myxopapillary ependymoma; Radiation therapy.