Asian Spine J.  2013 Dec;7(4):339-344. 10.4184/asj.2013.7.4.339.

Ventral Schwannoma of the Thoracolumbar Spine

• Yamahata H
• Yamaguchi
• Mori M
• Kubo F
• Tokimura H
• Arita K

• KMID: 2270416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2013.7.4.339

Abstract

We report two patients with ventral schwannoma in the thoracolumbar region manifesting as low back pain with or without paraparesis. In both patients magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogeneously-enhanced intradural extramedullary mass in the thoracolumbar region. The tumors were successfully removed via the posterior approach. Their histology was consistent with schwannoma. Postoperative MRI showed no evidence of a tumor in either patient. Spinal schwannomas are common benign intradural extramedullary spinal neoplasms; most arise from the dorsal- and very few from the anterior roots. A literature review revealed that ventral schwannomas, including giant tumors as in the one from case 2 in our study, affect mainly the cervical region, and most are surgically addressed via the posterior approach. Careful handling of the spinal cord is mandatory for satisfactory surgical results.

Keyword

Spinal schwannoma; Intradural lesion; Ventral schwannoma; Giant

MeSH Terms

Humans
Low Back Pain
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neurilemmoma*
Paraparesis
Spinal Cord
Spinal Neoplasms
Spine*