Korean J Spine.  2016 Sep;13(3):173-175. 10.14245/kjs.2016.13.3.173.

Single-Stage Operation for Giant Schwannoma at the Craniocervical Junction with Minimal Laminectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

• Yoon S
• Park H
• Lee KS
• Park SW
• Hong CK

• KMID: 2354721
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2016.13.3.173

Abstract

Here we report a single-stage operation we performed on a patient with a large schwannoma that extended from the lower clivus to the cervico-thoracic junction caudally. A number of authors have previously performed multilevel laminectomy to remove giant schwannomas that extend for considerable length. This technique has caused cervical instability such as kyphosis or gooseneck deformity on several occasions. We removed the tumor with a left lateral suboccipital craniectomy with laminectomy only at C1 and without any subsequent surgery-related neurologic deficits. However, this technique requires meticulous preoperative evaluation on existence of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cleft between the tumor and spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging, of tumor origin located at the upper cervical root, and of detachment of tumor from the origin site.

Keyword

Spinal cord neoplasms; Neurilemmoma; Laminectomy; Laminoplasty

MeSH Terms

Cerebrospinal Fluid
Congenital Abnormalities
Cranial Fossa, Posterior
Humans
Kyphosis
Laminectomy*
Laminoplasty
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neurilemmoma*
Neurologic Manifestations
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Neoplasms