Myxopapillary ependymoma: Lesser known cytomorphologic features.

Area of Science:

• Neuropathology
• Cytopathology

Background:

• Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a rare tumor typically affecting the sacrococcygeal region in pediatric and young adult populations.
• While histopathologic features are well-documented, cytological findings of MPE are less frequently reported, often in case studies.

Observation:

• This study presents the aspirate cytology of a primary sacrococcygeal MPE in a 45-year-old female.
• Cytological smears revealed a papillary architecture with fibrovascular cores, cuboidal to columnar cells forming pseudorosettes, fibrillary cytoplasmic processes, hyaline globules, and myxoid material.

Findings:

• Key diagnostic features included the characteristic papillary pattern and cellular morphology.
• Absence of intranuclear inclusions, nuclear grooves, cytologic atypia, or mitotic activity was noted in this specific case.
• The presence of myxoid material and papillary structures necessitates differentiation from other tumors in the sacrococcygeal region.

Implications:

• Accurate recognition of MPE's cytologic features is crucial for establishing a preoperative diagnosis.
• This case contributes to the understanding of MPE cytopathology, particularly in adult patients.
• Distinguishing MPE from other myxoid and papillary tumors in this location is vital for appropriate patient management.