Diagnosis and Treatment of Paragangliomas of the Filum Terminale, an Extremely Rare Entity: Personal Experience and Literature Review

Paragangliomas are tumors arising from neuroepithelial cell groups called paraganglia, first reported by Alfred Kohn in 1903 [1]. They are benign tumors. The paraganglia are subdivided into two groups: one formed by the adrenal medulla and the other by the extraadrenal paraganglia. From the first one arises, the typical pheocromocytoma. The most common site for extra-adrenal paragangliomas is the carotid body. These tumours may also occur in the spinal canal – usually arising in the cauda equina and very rarely in the filum terminale. Low back pain is the main presenting symptom with often sciatica as well. Magnetic resonance imaging is the sturdy of choice and treatment consists of total excision when it can be possible. Definitive diagnosis can only be made after histological and immunohistochemical investication. We report the literature review and our experience about paragangliomas of the filum terminale, paying attention on the diagnosis and the principle of treatment.