Minimally invasive lateral extracavitary resection of foraminal neurofibromas

Abstract

Nerve sheath tumors are the most common spinal tumors but extradural foraminal nerve sheath tumors are much rarer. Traditionally, these nerve sheath tumors have been resected via an open posterior approach. We describe an alternative minimally invasive (MIS) lateral extracavitary approach for resection of symptomatic extradural foraminal spinal neurofibromas. We describe three consecutive male patients (mean age, 37 years) who underwent a successful MIS lateral extracavitary approach for surgical resection of symptomatic extradural spinal neurofibromas. All patients presented with pain and two of the three presented with neurological deficit. Follow-up data, including functional and radiographic outcomes, were collected for all patients. The mean operative time, blood loss, and length of stay were 85 minutes (min) (range, 60–120 min), 150 mL (range, 100–200 mL), and two days (range, 1–3 day), respectively. There were no complications. All patients had complete resolution of their pain and motor deficits. Thus, the MIS lateral extracavitary approach is a safe and feasible alternative for resection of spinal extradural foraminal neurofibromas.