Unusual Exophytic Appearance of Spinal Cord Subependymoma

World Neurosurg. 2019 Jul:127:302-306. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.03.270. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Abstract

Background: Subependymomas are rare in the spinal cord. They are typically expansile, intramedullary spinal cord masses, eccentrically located with minimal gadolinium enhancement.

Case description: We present a case of subependymoma originating from the cervical cord with an unusual exophytic appearance. Hallmarks of subependymoma and treatment are reviewed.

Conclusions: This is the first case, to our knowledge, where imaging revealed a mass appearing to be completely extramedullary with a primary exophytic component. Therefore, subependymomas should remain on the differential for masses in the spinal cord that appear extramedullary and exophytic.

Keywords: Exophytic subependymoma; Spinal cord neoplasms; Spinal cord subependymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cervical Cord / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Cord / pathology
  • Cervical Cord / surgery
  • Female
  • Glioma, Subependymal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Glioma, Subependymal / pathology
  • Glioma, Subependymal / surgery
  • Humans
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery