Clinical Features and Surgical Management of Intramedullary Schwannoma of the Spinal Cord

Abstract

Background contextIntramedullary schwannoma is a kind of relatively rare tumors with only a few literature reports. This study was aimed to report the clinical characteristics of intramedullary schwannoma and discuss imaging findings and treatment strategies. MethodsThe inclusion criterion was consecutive patients with intramedullary schwannomas who were surgically treated in our institution between 2017 and 2022. Data included clinical characteristics, radiological features, surgical management and prognosis. Clinical and follow-up details of all cases were collected and reviewed. ResultsThere were three males and eight females. The mean age of all patients was 45 years old (Range 26-77 years). Cervical spine (4 cases, 36.4%), thoracic spine (4 cases, 36.4%) and lumbarsacral spine (3 cases, 27.3%) involvement were found respectively. Weakness, numbness and pain of limbs were the main symptoms at administration. Pre-operative MRI all demonstrated lesion with spinal cord medullary invasion and well demarcated margins. The post-operative histological examination all showed benign lesions and confirmed the schwannoma. ConclusionsIntramedullary schwannoma is a very rare tumor. This article presented a series of 11 cases of intramedullary schwannoma with sharp margins and well-enhanced feature. Prognosis and functional recovery were good after gross total resection.