Ependymoma of the cauda equina with distant metastases: a case report with review of the literature

Abstract

A case of a papillary ependymoma of the spinal cord (cauda equina) with metastatic dissemination outside the central nervous system is reported. The patient was a one year old female child who died of pulmonary infection. Metastases were found in the liver, lungs and inguinal lymph nodes. Ependymoma is the most frequent type of glioma found in the cauda equina but metastatic dissemination is a rare occurrence. Only six cases have been recorded in the literature.