Bifocal myxopapillary ependymoma of the terminal filum: the end of a spectrum?

Abstract

✓ Myxopapillary ependymomas represent the most frequent type of ependymomas found at the conus medullaris—cauda equina-terminal filum level. They are neuroectodermal tumors mainly observed during the fourth decade of life. Pediatric cases have been rarely described at an age range of 10 to 13 years. Myxopapillary ependymomas are typically solitary tumors involving the terminal filum. Simultaneous discovery of two tumors located both on the terminal filum has been reported once. The pathogenesis of this focal ependymoma located at the same embryological level, on the terminal filum, is uncertain; it may represent one end of a spectrum, the other end being the giant ependymoma of the terminal filum.