Paragangliomas of the cauda equina have a distinctive cytokeratin immunophenotype

We have examined immunohistochemically three cases of paraganglioma of the cauda equina and five cases of paraganglioma from other sites using a panel of antibodies to neuroendocrine markers and cytokeratins. All eight tumours stained with at least two neuroendocrine markers. All five paragangliomas from sites other than the cauda equina showed no cytokeratin staining. The three paragangliomas of the cauda equina showed staining of some cells using anticytokeratin AE 1/3. Paragangliomas of the cauda equina appear to have a distinctive cytokeratin immunophenotype.