Paraganglioma of the cauda equina. A histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study and review of the literature.

We report a case of paraganglioma of the cauda equina and filum terminale. Diagnosis was established by the histologic organoid pattern, immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific enolase and ultrastructural dense-core neurosecretory granules. A survey of the literature yielded 16 previously reported cases, five of which were described in 1983. This suggests that heightened awareness of this entity will result in a corresponding increase in the reported incidence.