It is difficult to be certain of the diagnosis on imaging criteria as both myxopapillary ependymomas and schwannomas can look just like this:

• this other case is an example of a myxopapillary ependymoma
• this other case is an example of a spinal schwannoma

The very vivid enhancement and extremely well defined cystic component probably should make you favor a schwannoma. 

The patient went on to have a laminectomy and the mass was excised. 

Histology

MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Paraffin sections show a partially cystic moderately hypercellular neurilemmoma (Schwannoma). This is composed of both Antoni-A and B type tissues. Moderately well formed Verocay bodies are seen in Antoni-A areas. No mitotic figures are identified. There are no densely hypercellular areas and no areas of necrosis are seen.

DIAGNOSIS: Partially cystic neurilemmoma (Schwannoma).