A rare case of an intramedullary metastasis of a myxopapillary ependymoma

Abstract

Background: Myxopapillary ependimoma (MPE) is a benign slow-growing tumor, and it has been designated histologically as a Grade I neoplasm according to the 2016 World Health Organization classification. Despite the benign character, dissemination and metastasis have occasionally been reported. The retrograde dissemination to other levels of the neuraxis is extremely rare, being more frequent to the intracranial compartment. Case Description: We hereby present a case of medullary metastasis of cauda equina MPE, with a history of having undergone a subtotal resection and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The patient presents complaints of night dorsal pain attributable to intradural metastasis twenty-one years after the first surgical intervention. Conclusion: The case reported highlights the importance of long follow-up in patients with MPE, since the possibility of secondary seeding to distant craniospinal sites or local spinal sites after surgery, and radiotherapy should be considered in metastatic disease.