Paraganglioma of the cauda equina. Case report with 33-month recurrence free follow-up and review of the literature

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina is an unusual tumor and do not have the secretory properties of the same tumors arising outside the nervous system. In none of the few cases reported in literature a preoperative diagnosis was possible, and the surgical findings raised questions in the differential diagnosis with ependymomas. A rare case of paraganglioma of the cauda equina studied both pre- and postoperatively by MRI, and treated with subtotal excision combined with radiotherapy is described. Results and recurrence rates of the cases reported in literature are reviewed. Though MRI imaging has proven to be more sensitive than other radiological procedures, we stress the difficulties of preoperative diagnosis of paragangliomas in this site. The correct diagnosis of the paraganglioma of the cauda equina still relies on immunochemistry and electron microscopy. Total excision is often very difficult owing the tendency of these neoplasms to infiltrate cauda's roots. A 33-month recurrence free follow-up of our patient confirms that successful treatment is achieved by subtotal resection combined with radiotherapy.