Thoracic Spinal Schwannoma Simulating Lumbar Sciatica-like pain: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

A 45-year-old man presented to our facility with predominantly Sciatica-like leg pain and lower extremity motor weakness, who did not get relief despite undergoing two consecutive lumbar surgeries for suspected lumbar disc herniation. Medical history, physical findings, and a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed thoracic cord tumor as the underlying disease. Our patient had complete resolution of his back and leg pain following surgical resection of the thoracic Schwannoma. Thoracic cord compression often results in diffuse pain and myelopathic symptoms caused by the irritation of ascending spinothalamic tract, which causes a vague and burning pain that should be differentiated from nerve root lesions and can be the first presentation of a thoracic cord lesion.