Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: a case report.

Abstract

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.

Paragangliomas of the lumbar region

“…Revealing Symptoms. Initial symptoms were low-back pain in 89 cases (51.4%), 1-3,9-13,16,17,20,21,23,25-28,30,34,35,37,40,41,46-48, 50,51,53,58,60-63,69,71-73,75-78,81-83,85,87-89,91,92,94,95,97,99,104 low-back pain and sciatica in 33 (19%), 8,11,14,16,38,54,73,87,90,93,96 unilateral sciatica in 12 and bilateral sciatica in three, 4,5,12,15,27,33,42,52,60,68,71,72,74,92,101 clinical symptoms of intracranial hypertension in six, 7,31,32,67,79,98 progressive or sudden weakness in six, 6,24,73,77,87,103 alterations in sensation in three, 60,87,93 sexual dysfunction in two, 43,73 and lumboischialgia, 86 urinary retention, 18 pseudoclaudication, 87 signs of spinal cord compression, 60 sacral...…”

“…Size. Although data were provided for 122 cases regarding tumor size, in only 60 cases were the three dimensions detailed; 5,7,8,[11][12][13]16,20,23,24,27,32,35,[40][41][42]48,51,53,55,67,73,74,80,82,86,91,98,104 in 17 cases two dimensions were reported, 29,31,52,71,81,83,86,88,91,95 and in 45 only one dimension was detailed. 4,21,25,37,46,50,54,60,62,63,69,86,…”

Acute Paraplegia From Hemorrhagic Paraganglioma Of Filum Terminale: Case Report And Review Of Literature

“…17,28 Sensory or motor deficits, sphincteric and erectile dysfunction and paraplegia may also occur, but their incidence is relatively low. 3,12,17,19,24,33,34,43,49 We present a case of a 51-year old male with hemorrhagic paraganglioma of the filum terminale. He presented with acute paraplegia and was treated via emergent laminectomy, evacuation of hematoma, and resection of tumor.…”

Paraganglioma of the Filum Terminale: An Extremely Uncommon Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Located in Spine

“…[1] Its occurrence within the central nervous system is unusual. Intracranially, paraganglioma was encountered in the sellar, pineal, and petrous ridge regions.…”

“…[15] It may be associated with syringomyelia or intramedullary cyst. [312] Paraganglioma is pathologically considered as benign lesion with slow-growing mass possessing relatively low proliferative activity[1118] although malignant potentials are also occasionally reported by Blades et al .…”