Paraganglioma of the cauda equina region: A report of three cases

BACKGROUND: Cauda equina paragangliomas (CEP) are rare tumors. Low back pain and sciatica are the main presenting symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the study of choice and treatment consists of total excision when feasible. Definitive diagnosis can only be made after immunohistochemical investigation. CEP is classified as grade I WHO and after total removal the prognosis is excellent. Nonetheless, after subtotal removal, tumor recurrence can occur. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present 3 cases of CEP, preoperatively diagnosed as an intradural mass on MRI and suspected to be ependymoma. All 3 patients presented with low back pain and variable sciatic pain. Total resection of the tumor was performed after which all patients fully recovered. There is no recurrence after 13, 11, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: CEP is a rare tumor. We diagnosed 3 paragangliomas out of a series of 105 intradural extramedullary tumors in adults (1994–2005). No recurrence was seen after total resection. In retrospect, both the intraoperative appearance and the MR image were not completely typical for schwannoma or ependymoma, but final diagnosis can only be made histologically.