Myxopapillary Ependymoma (WHO 2000 Grade I)
General: Distinct subtype of ependymoma which occurs almost exclusively in the conus medullaris/cauda equina region of the spinal cord. Most common in young adults, typically presenting as back pain.
Gross: Well circumscribed lesion (with strong contrast enhancement on imaging), occasionally with cystic change and/or hemorrhage.
Microscopic: Single layer of low-columnar to cuboidal cells around well vascularized cores, with variable amounts of mucoid material and fibrous tissue. Mitoses are rare to absent. Rounded nuclei with delicate to open chromatin and moderate amphophilic cytoplasm. Vessel walls appear thickened and hyalinized.
Differential Diagnosis:
- Cauda equina paraganglioma (classically confused with one another in this location)
- Metastatic carcinoma
- Chordoma
- Chondroma
- Chondrosarcoma
Stains:
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Cases:
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