Solitary aneurysm of the filum terminale artery: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of aneurysmal dilatation of filum terminale artery after resection of filum terminal myxopapillary ependymoma. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors report a rare aneurysmal dilatation of the filum terminale artery following removal of a filum terminal myxopapillary ependymoma in a 10-year-old male. The patient presented with 6-month history of increasing back pain without a focal neurological deficit. Magnetic resonance (MR) showed an intradural filum terminale lesion that was completely excised. Three months later, the MR again revealed a lesion involving the filum terminale. During the second surgery, however, an aneurysmal dilation of the filum artery was found, which was coagulated and resected. Following the secondary surgery, the patient's symptoms gradually resolved, and he remains intact. CONCLUSION: Although rare, a true aneurysm after spinal surgery should be considered among the differential diagnostic consideration in the region of the filum terminale.