Giant osteolitic sacral myxopapillary ependymoma

Objective: Ependymomas are usually intramedullary tumors. Extradural presentation with invasion of surrounding tissues is extremely rare. We present a case of a sacral ependymoma with extensive local invasion and bony destruction. Case description: A 53 year old woman with lumbosacral pain, perineal paresthesias and sphincter dysfunction. MRI and CT demonstrated a giant expansive lesion from S2 to S4 with large tissue invasion and osteolysis. A complete resection was performed with good functional results. Anatomopathological examination informed myxopapillary ependymoma. Discussion: The extent of surgical resection is the best predictor of good prognosis. Radiotherapy is reserved as adjuvant to incomplete resection and tumor recurrence. Chemotherapy should only be used in cases where surgery and radiotherapy are contraindicated.

Conclusion: intra and extradural osteolitic sacral myxopapillary ependymomas are extremely rare lesions. Although uncommon it should not be excluded from the preoperative diagnosis. Complete resection is the gold standard treatment.