Concurrent multiple cerebral cavernous malformations and cauda equina paraganglioma: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Cauda equina neuroendocrine tumors (CENETs), previously known as cauda equina paragangliomas, and multiple cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are uncommon conditions affecting the central nervous system. To the authors’ knowledge, they have not been reported in the same patient. OBSERVATIONS The authors present the case of a 45-year-old male with CENET and concurrent incidental MRI findings of multiple CCMs. Familial CCMs are associated with mutations in the KRIT1 (CCM1), MGC4607 (CCM2), and PDCD10 (CCM3) genes. Peripheral paragangliomas have been associated with mutations in succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx), RET (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2), VHL (von Hippel–Lindau syndrome), and NF1 (neurofibromatosis type 1) genes. Except for a single case, cauda equina paragangliomas have not been associated with any underlying genetic mutations. LESSONS It is unclear whether the co-occurrence of these two rare conditions in the same patient is coincidental or suggests a possible shared pathogenesis.