A 4-year-old child presents with hydrocephalus. MRI shows a fourth ventricular tumor. Histology demonstrates perivascular pseudorosettes. Which variant of this tumor is most common in the spinal cord of adults?

• A Subependymoma
• B Myxopapillary ependymoma ✓
• C Papillary ependymoma
• D Clear cell ependymoma

Explanation

The tumor is ependymoma. Myxopapillary ependymoma is a grade 1 variant that arises in the conus medullaris and cauda equina of adults. Subependymomas are benign and often incidental. Perivascular pseudorosettes are a hallmark of ependymomas, distinguishing them from other gliomas.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.