Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of the Filum Terminale. A Rare Entity

Paragangliomas are rare, benign and slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that can arise from the adrenal medulla (85­90%) or from the extra-adrenal paraganglia. In the central nervous system (CNS), they can be found at several sites, but more often at the cauda equina and filum terminale region, where they account for between 2.5 and 3.8% of total tumor cases of that region. There are only 8 cases described in the literature that mention the presence of the gangliocytic variant of this entity at the filum terminale. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with chronic lumbar pain refractory to medical treatment, without any associated neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural, extramedullar oval lesion with regular contours and homogeneous caption of contrast at L1 level. He was submitted to surgical treatment, with complete resection of the lesion. The histological analysis revealed a gangliocytic paraganglioma of the filum terminale. At 5 years of follow-up, he remains asymptomatic and without any signs of relapse. These are lesions with an overall good prognosis with gross total resection. Although the recurrence rate is extremely low, prolonged observation is recommended due to the slow-growing nature of the tumor, being estimated that between 1 and 4% can recur even after gross total removal.

Presentación atípica de meningioma de células claras en cauda equina sin implantación dural / Atipic presentation of nondura-based clear cell meningioma in cauda equina

Introducción: El Meningioma de Células Claras (MCC) es un raro subtipo de meningioma. Se han descrito más de 100 casos de MCC a nivel mundial, de ellos sólo se han publicado 17 con duramadre indemne, presentándose generalmente en mujeres jóvenes. El objetivo es presentar un caso clínico inusual y atípico, conociendo manejo y pronóstico. Presentación del caso: Se trata de un varón de 75 años con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial y leucemia linfoide crónica en tratamiento, que consultó por dolor polirradicular y paresia de extremidades inferiores con posterior compromiso esfinteriano. La resonancia nuclear magnética de columna evidenció un tumor intradural a nivel de L1-L3. Se realizó exéresis tumoral bajo neuromonitoreo, observándose un tumor amarillo-grisáceo adyacente al cono medular y a la cauda equina, sin afección de la duramadre. El estudio histológico e inmunohistoquímico demostraron MCC. El paciente evolucionó con regresión completa de su sintomatología preoperatoria. Discusión: En la cauda equina, incluso sin implantación dural, debe plantearse la posibilidad de un meningioma, enfatizando en la resección completa de la lesión a causa del fuerte factor predictor de recidiva.

Introduction: The Clear Cell Meningioma (CCM) is a rare subtype of meningioma. Have been reported more than 100 cases of CCM in the world, of which only 17 cases are nondura-based CCM, more frequently in young women. The aim is to present an unusual case knowing management and prognosis. Case report: This is a man of 75 years old with a history of hypertension and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in treatment, who consulted for polirradicular pain and paresis of lower extremities with subsequent sphincteric compromise. The magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal tumor in L1-L3. Tumor resection was per-formed under neuromonitoring and observed a nondura-based tumor adjacent to the medullary cone and the cauda equina. The histological and immunohistochemical study showed CCM. The patient developed complete regression of preoperative symptoms. Discussion: In horsetail, even without dural implantation, it should consider the possibility of a meningioma, emphasizing in the complete resection of the lesion given strong predictor factor of recurrence

Ancient schwannoma of vagus nerve mimicking hamartoma.

Schwannomas arising from vagus nerve sheath are rare mediastinal neurogenic tumours. Schwannomas usually arise from left hemithorax. Unlike a hamartoma, radiologically, calcification is rarely seen in schwannomas. We present the rare case of an ancient schwannoma arising from vagus nerve sheath from the right hemithorax presenting with gross calcification.

Apical mass presentation of brachial plexus Schwannoma.

Neurogenic tumours arising from the brachial plexus are rare. Most of these present as palpable cervical mass with tenderness and pain radiating to the arm along the distribution of the affected nerve. Here we report a case with radiological presentation mimicking an apical mass in the right chest with minimal symptoms. The mass was successfully and completely removed at thoracotomy preserving the integrity of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. There was some evidence of neuroparesis in the immediate post-operative period but the patient made a very good recovery 10 weeks after surgery.