What question did this study set out to answer?

This case examines survival outcomes in a patient with intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymoma after mixed surgical and adjuvant therapy.

May 21, 2026Open Access

A rare case of intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymoma: a 35-month survival update following resection and adjuvant proton beam radiation therapy. Illustrative case

BEBahie EzzatFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta TYTirone YoungFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta NNNoah M. NicholsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Puntos clave

This case examines survival outcomes in a patient with intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymoma after mixed surgical and adjuvant therapy.
Case study of a 65-year-old male treated with subtotal resection and proton beam therapy.
Proton beam therapy regimen included 3600 cGy craniospinal irradiation followed by a boost to 5400 cGy.
Pathological evaluation confirmed a MYCN-amplified WHO grade 3 tumor.
Patient demonstrates ongoing survival at 35 months post-treatment.
MRI showed stable spinal dissemination without intracranial spread after surgery and therapy.
Postoperative recovery indicated full return of strength and function.

Resumen

BACKGROUND Intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymomas are rare, aggressive spinal tumors for which optimal management strategies remain unclear. OBSERVATIONS This case describes ongoing survival at 35 months in a 65-year-old male with an intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymoma treated with subtotal resection and proton beam therapy. MRI revealed a T2–3 dorsal intradural extramedullary lesion with leptomeningeal spread in the lumbar spine. Subtotal resection was performed due to dense adherence to the cord, with approximately 10% tumor left in situ. Pathological evaluation confirmed MYCN-amplified WHO grade 3 ependymoma. Adjuvant proton beam therapy was initiated within 2 weeks of surgery, consisting of craniospinal irradiation (3600 cGy in 20 fractions) followed by a boost to a total of 5400 cGy in 30 fractions. Postoperative recovery included full return of strength and function. Serial brain and spine MRI studies at 6, 12, 18, and 22 months showed stable spinal dissemination with no intracranial spread. LESSONS This case supports the role of subtotal resection followed by proton beam therapy as a viable treatment strategy for MYCN-amplified intradural extramedullary anaplastic ependymomas, particularly when gross-total resection is contraindicated. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE25804

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo