Primary intracranial myxopapillary ependymomas: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Myxopapillary ependymoma is a variant of ependymoma occurring almost exclusively in the conus medullaris or filum terminale. Myxopapillary ependymoma found primarily in the brain is extremely rare. Two such cases appearing at the 4th ventricle and cerebral falx are reported. The imaging features of such tumors are a primary cystic mass with strong enhancement at its solid part. Myxopapillary ependymoma should be a possible differential diagnosis when an intracranial cystic tumor is found.