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In adults, spinal ependymomas are usually found in intramedullary locations. However, intradural extramedullary spinal ependymomas are rare. Additionally, spinal ependymomas usually show iso to hypointensity on T1-weighted images without hemorrhage. Herein, we present a rare case of a 43-year-old female with a pathologically confirmed intradural extramedullary ependymoma that showed hyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging accompanied by hemorrhage.

Background and Importance: Neurenteric cysts (NCs) account for 0.7 to 1.3% of all spinal tumors and are most commonly present during the first three decades of life. Only two cases have been reported in individuals in their 7th and 8th decades of life. This study described a rare case of an NC in a septuagenarian (70 – 79 years of age) who presented with atypical features of the disease. Case Presentation: A 77-year-old female patient presented with acute onset paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 13.6 × 14.1 × 15.4 mm intradural extramedullary cystic lesion, which was anteriorly located at the C7-D1 level. It was T1 hypointense, T2 hyperintense, and showed faint contrast enhancement at the junction between the cyst and the spinal cord. At surgery, a cyst with a greyish-white thin wall was noted in the spinal canal, displacing the spinal cord posteriorly. The cyst wall was partially excised, and a small portion adhering to the spinal cord was left behind. The histopathology report was consistent with an NC. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient’s lower limb strength had improved. Conclusion: Although rare, NCs can present in the seventh decade of life. Magnetic resonance imaging may reveal unusual findings, like T1 hypointensity and faint contrast enhancement of the cyst wall. In elderly patients, a portion of the cyst wall may be left behind if it adheres to the spinal cord to avoid the risk of neurological deterioration.

Spinal intradural-extramedullary ependymomas (IEEs) most commonly affect the lumbosacral spine. Because of their neural axis dissemination and adherence to neural structures, managing IEEs is still a controversial neurosurgical challenge. The study aimed to investigate the potential prognostic factors that influence long-term surgical outcomes by evaluating consecutively operated patients with IEEs. During the study period, medical records of all diagnosed patients with spinal tumors were reviewed retrospectively. This study included all patients with consecutive IEEs who underwent surgical intervention in 3 neurosurgical institutions in different periods (February 2004 to December 2020). In 3 neurosurgical institutions, 64 (28 women, 36 men) patients were operated upon for IEE. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 38.9 years. The mean preoperative symptom duration was 17.8 months. Radicular pain was the most common symptom, observed in 53 patients. Gross total resection was applied to 48 patients. 54 patients had good clinical outcomes at their last follow-up after 106.9 months on average. Myxopapillary ependymoma was the most common histopathological type (n = 43). The progression was observed in 5 patients. The presence of preoperative neurological deficits, IEEs extending >2 spinal levels, bone-eroded IEEs, surgical complication, capsule violation, and incomplete resection were associated with poor prognosis. Several clinical and surgical factors can affect the functional outcomes of the surgical treatment of IEEs. Some radiological features can make neurosurgeons aware of the prognosis of IEEs. In such cases, the neurosurgeons should plan to remove tumors without violating their integrities (capsules) to obtain satisfactory functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]