Revista Ciencias Biomédicas (Dec 2015)

GIANT OSTEOLYTIC MYXOPAPILLARY EPENDYMOMA OF THE SACRUM: AN AGGRESSIVE FORM OF A BENIGN TUMOR

  • Tuñón-Pitalúa Martha Cecilia,
  • Ruiz-Cáez Karina María,
  • Niño-Hernández Lucía Mercedes,
  • Piña-Cabrales Sandra,
  • Alcalá-Cerra Gabriel,
  • Remolina-López Anderson Julián

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 2
pp. 348 – 353

Abstract

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Introduction: myxopapillary ependymoma (MP) is a glial ependymal tumor that mainly affects young adults. The tumor originates in the filum terminale, the cauda equina and the conus medullaris. Case record: the case presented in a patient in whom a giant myxopapillary ependymoma was detected during a medical checkup for root pain. The tumor involved the sacral bones showing a locally aggressive behavior with intense osteolysis. Conclusion: possible theories that explain the presence of these tumors in sacral bones were discussed, focusing in the presence of embryonic remnants of ependymal tissue in the most caudal levels of the spinal canal, and the possible mechanisms that explain the aggressive behavior of these histologically benign tumors. Rev.cienc.biomed.2015; 6(2):348-353 KEYWORDS Spine; Myxopapillary ependymoma; Epidural neoplasm; Sacrum; Sacrococcygeal region.

Keywords