Ependymoma, spinal

The typical ependymoma is located in the cervical region. There are associated large satellite cysts and possibly a bulbar cyst. The "cap sign" is often seen. Ependymomas enhance vividly and homogeneously, and have well-defined borders (images 1 - 2).

Histology

An ependymoma is a well delineated tumor of neuroepithelial tissue, composed of neoplastic ependymal cells developing perivascular pseudorosettes (see black arrow). Most ependymomas are slow growing and correspond to grade II (image 3, see white arrow - vessel).

Some ependymomas show histological anaplasia, i.e. high cellularity, variable nuclear atypia, mitotic activity, and vascular proliferation (see arrow). This type of tumor corresponds to a grade III (image 4).

Cases

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- Subependymal ependymoma
- Ependymoma
- Tanycytic ependymoma grade II
- Ependymoma grade II
- Myxopapillary ependymoma grade I (WHO)
- Tanycytic ependymoma grade II
- Neurofibromatosis type II

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