EXTRADURAL MYXOPAPILLARY EPENDYMOMA - REPORT OF 2 CASES AND REVIEW OFTHE LITERATURE

The cauda equina is the most frequent location for ependymomas, partic ularly the myxopapillary variant, which generally arises from the filu m terminale. These tumors have a characteristic histopathologic patter n and are usually easily recognized. The occurrence of these tumors in an extradural, sacrococcygeal, or subcutaneous location may prove cha llenging, particularly in the absence of any obvious central nervous s ystem connection. We describe two such extradural cases, one with mult iple regional and distant metastases and the other with multiple recur rences. The origin of these tumors from subcutaneous sacrococcygeal ep endymal rests is postulated on the basis of earlier reports. Clinical and histopathological features are described and a review of the liter ature is presented.