Excision Of Schwannoma Research Articles

Excision of a supergiant spinal schwannoma: illustrative case.

The authors report on a patient who presented with an extremely large presacral schwannoma and subsequent mass effect-induced hydronephrosis and kidney failure. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the largest radiographically verified spinal schwannoma in the medical literature. The tumor presented here was more than three times as large as a typical giant schwannoma. While smaller presacral schwannomas are usually uncomplicated surgical cases, the supergiant schwannomas described here create significant surgical challenges. The extremely large size of this nerve sheath tumor introduced a level of surgical complexity not seen in most spinal schwannoma cases. The authors hope that this case informs surgeons regarding the approach to excision of giant spinal schwannomas. The resection of giant spinal schwannomas is likely to involve one or more lengthy surgeries, and the resection volume can be limited by excessive bleeding. Physicians approaching these large, benign spinal tumors should be aware of the challenges of surgery duration and hemostasis before approaching a tumor of this kind. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24224.

Excision of large median and ulnar nerve schwannomas: a case series

ObjectiveSchwannomas are benign, slow-growing tumors originating from Schwann cells in peripheral nerves, commonly affecting the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm and wrist. Surgical excision is the gold standard treatment. This study presents our treatment strategies and outcomes for large-sized ulnar and median nerve schwannomas at the forearm and wrist level.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2023, we enrolled 15 patients with schwannomas over 2 cm in size in the median or ulnar nerve at the forearm and wrist. The study included 12 patients with median nerve schwannomas (mean age: 61 years) and 3 with ulnar nerve schwannomas (mean age: 68 years), with a mean follow-up of 26.9 months.ResultsAfter surgery, all patients with median nerve schwannomas experienced mild, transient numbness affecting fewer than two digits, resolving within six months without motor deficits. Ulnar nerve schwannoma excision caused mild numbness in two patients, also resolving within six months, but all three developed ulnar claw hand deformity, which persisted but improved at the last follow-up. Despite this, patients were satisfied with the surgery due to relief from severe tingling pain.ConclusionsSchwannomas of the median, ulnar, and other peripheral nerves should be removed by carefully dissecting the connecting nerve fascicles to avoid injury to healthy ones. Sensory deficits may occur but are unlikely to significantly impact quality of life. However, in motor-dominant nerves like the ulnar nerve, there is a risk of significant motor deficits that could affect hand function, though not completely. Therefore, thorough preoperative discussion and consideration of interfascicular nerve grafting are essential.

Customized Vestibular Rehabilitation for Vestibular Schwannoma Excision via Translabyrinthine Approach: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of intensive customized vestibular rehabilitation after vestibular schwannoma (VS) excision. Methods: 52 patients who underwent VS removal via a translabyrinthine approach from 2020 to 2022 were involved in this study. Bedside examination, video head impulse test (vHIT), functional head impulse test (fHIT), and the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) were performed before and after the rehabilitation, which consisted of 10 sessions of specifically designed vestibular, visual, and physical integrated training. Results: After rehabilitation, the vHIT showed overall unchanged values on the affected and healthy side. In contrast, the scores of fHIT, which explores the higher connection of the vestibular system with visual and cerebellar pathways, improved on both the pathological and healthy sides after training (p-value 0.004 and 0.000, respectively). The effectiveness of the rehabilitation was reinforced by the DHI scores, which were considerably lower after training. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore fHIT outcomes after removal of VS, estimating the impact of rehabilitation on the overall compensation process. The outcomes support the role of extensive postsurgical rehabilitation in the compensatory process, even just a few days after surgery.

Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Patients with Intralabyrinthine Schwannoma: A Scoping Review.

To evaluate the literature and summarize cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes after intralabyrinthine schwannoma (ILS) excision and tumor observation with CI. OVID Medline, Embase, Web of Science; conception to 2024. A literature review was performed using subject headings, MeSH terms, and keywords. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed by two independent reviewers and adjudicated by a third. Inclusion criteria included studies with ILS and CI with reported audiologic outcomes. Subjects were analyzed into two groups, ILS resection with CI and in situ ILS with CI. Patients with NF2 were included. The main outcome of interest was CI audiometric performance level, with secondary outcomes of CI user status and open-set speech attainment. There were 29 articles with a total of 93 patients who met inclusion criteria. The resection group had 17% low performers, 44% intermediate performers, and 38% high performers. The in situ group had 40% low performers, 32% intermediate performers, 27% high performers. The resection group had 69 patients with 97% maintaining user status and 92% with open-set speech recognition. The observation group had 24 patients, with 87% user rate and 86% achieving open-set speech recognition. There was a greater percentage of NF2 diagnosis seen in the in situ group. There is a paucity of literature on CI and ILS. Patients are managed with both resection of tumor and implantation in situ. Early data are limited, with improvement in hearing outcomes and high user rates in both populations. N/A Laryngoscope, 134:3910-3920, 2024.

Delayed symptomatic cerebral vasospasm following vestibular schwannoma resection: illustrative case.

Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm following posterior fossa extraaxial tumor resection is a rare phenomenon, with only 13 cases previously reported in the literature. The condition appears similar to vasospasm following supratentorial tumor resection, intraaxial posterior fossa tumor resection, and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The majority of patients were not evaluated for vasospasm prior to symptom onset, leading to a delay in diagnosis. The authors present their experience in a 56-year-old female who developed delayed cerebral vasospasm after excision of a solid-cystic vestibular schwannoma. Routine postoperative brain computed tomography showed evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cisterns. She was discharged on the 9th postoperative day. On the 11th day after tumor excision, she developed left hemiparesis, dysarthria, and dysphagia and was readmitted. Angiography confirmed bilateral diffuse cerebral vasospasm. The patient responded to standard hyperdynamic therapy used for vasospasm secondary to aSAH. Symptomatic distant cerebral vasospasm after posterior fossa extraaxial tumor excision is a rare but challenging complication with a very high morbidity rate in reported cases. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and prompt management for a favorable outcome.

Schwannoma of the Upper Extremity: A Clinical Series

Background: Schwannoma, the most common primary neural tumor of the upper extremity, arises from Schwann cells of the nerve sheet. The tumor is usually painless and slow-growing. Symptomatic masses could be treated through intra- or extra-capsular excision. Herein, we aim to evaluate the long-term results of surgical treatment of 12 cases of upper extremity Schwannoma.
 Methods: Twelve cases of confirmed Schwannoma who were treated in Imam Khomeini University Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2011 to 2022, were included in our case series. All operations were done using loupe magnification or under a microscope. Age, sex, location of the mass, size of the tumor, affected nerve, histological diagnosis, and clinical follow-up, including the neurological status of the patients, were documented.
 Results: Twelve patients with a mean age of 44 years were included. Seven (58.3%) were men and five (41.66%) were women. The mean follow-up period was 45 months (range: 6-135). The hand was the most common location of involvement and the digital nerve was the most frequent origin of Schwannoma. Postoperative evaluation showed no tumor recurrence and pain resolved in all twelve patients (100%). Sensory dysfunction resolved completely in 5 out of 8 patients who reported sensory impairment preoperatively (62.5%) and no motor function improvement was seen in the patient with motor deficit.
 Conclusion: Adequate operative techniques can lead to complete tumor removal without neurological loss or recurrence. Neural function improvement in most cases is achieved. New neurologic impairment after excision of Schwannoma is rare.

Improved Recovery after Vestibular Schwannoma Excision with Intratympanic Gentamicin Prehabilitation.

Translabyrinthine excision of a vestibular schwannoma is associated with acute vestibular failure. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) injections can improve objective balance function after surgery but its clinical benefits remain to be established. Adult patients undergoing translabyrinthine removal of a vestibular schwannoma between January 2014 and February 2018 underwent preoperative vestibular function testing. Patients were divided in to 3 groups, those with vestibular function (VF) who received ITG injections, those with VF but did not receive ITG and those with no VF. Groups were compared according to degree of vertigo, length of stay, time to unassisted mobilization, and postoperative anti-emetic consumption. Forty six patients had ITG injections (Group 1), 7 had residual VF but refused treatment (Group 2), 21 had no VF (Group 3). Group 1 had a significant improvement in vertigo over time whereas groups 2 and 3 did not. There was a statistically significant 70% decrease in time to independent mobilization between Group 1 and other groups and a 19% decrease in length of stay in Group 1 compared to other groups although this did not reach statistical significance. Two patients had injection-related complications. Group 1 used less anti-emetics than other groups but this was not statistically significant. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin injection with vestibular rehabilitation exercises is associated with less postoperative vertigo and earlier postoperative mobilization. There was reduced duration of hospitalization and decreased consumption of anti-emetic but not significantly so possibly because of low numbers of patients in the no treatment group. 2 Laryngoscope, 134:3316-3322, 2024.

Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve: Therapeutic Approaches to Chronic Knee Pain.

The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPS) is an under-investigated nerve that can be a source of chronic knee pain. This literature review aims to deliver an up-to-date review of chronic pain transmitted via the IPS along with therapeutic approaches available for pain refractory to conservative measures. Knee pain transmitted via the IPS can arise from several etiologies. Damage to the IPS is often iatrogenic and develops following total knee arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and other knee surgical procedures. Other causes of IPS-derived pain include entrapment of the nerve, neuromas, Schwannomas, and pain from knee osteoarthritis transmitted through the IPS.This article investigated therapeutic approaches to pain derived from the IPS. Common approaches included radiofrequency ablation, neuroma excisions, Schwannoma excision, nerve blocks, surgical exploration, surgical release of an entrapped nerve, cryoablation, and peripheral nerve stimulation. Pain scores, duration of pain relief, adverse events, and secondary outcomes were all included in this review. A subset of the patient population experiences chronic pain deriving from the IPS that is refractory to conservative treatment measures. This review aims to evaluate the etiologies and therapeutic approaches for chronic pain arising from the IPS refractory to conservative treatments.

Simultaneous excision of intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor and retroperitoneal schwannoma with robot-assisted surgery

Simultaneous excision of intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor and retroperitoneal schwannoma with robot-assisted surgery

Successful management of a giant retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma mimicking malignant tumors: A case report and literature review

Introduction and Importance: Schwannomas, originating from Schwann cells surrounding nerve sheaths, tend to be slow-growing. Among these, giant ancient schwannomas are remarkable for their rare occurrence and their capacity for substantial growth and regressive changes. Furthermore, the expansiveness and flexibility of the retroperitoneal space often conceal the symptoms of retroperitoneal schwannomas, leading to delayed diagnosis and allowing these tumors to grow significantly and become large and long-standing before detection. Case Presentation: A 24-year-old man presented with left flank pain and a growing abdominal bulge in the left upper quadrant. Computed tomography scan revealed a 15×15×10 cm lytic expansile lesion. Consequently, the encapsulated mass was surgically excised and diagnosed as an ancient retroperitoneal schwannoma through histological and immunohistochemical studies. Clinical Discussion: Comprehensive preoperative planning and a multidisciplinary strategy are imperative for the complete excision of schwannomas. These tumors can present diagnostic complexities, particularly due to nuclear atypia and pleomorphism, which might lead to misinterpretation regarding malignancy. Despite the risks associated with percutaneous biopsies, the low mitotic count is a critical diagnostic factor. Our study underscores the consensus that the definitive diagnosis should rely on postoperative histopathological findings, highlighting the importance of accurate assessment. Conclusion: Rare giant retroperitoneal ancient schwannomas pose diagnostic challenges due to their rarity, lack of distinct symptoms, and atypical locations. This study presents a successful case and management.

Comparison of Surgeons' Assessment of the Extent of Vestibular Schwannoma Resection with Immediate Post Operative and Follow-Up Volumetric MRI Analysis.

(1) Background: Incomplete excision of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) is sometimes preferable for facial nerve preservation. On the other hand, subtotal resection may be associated with higher tumor recurrence. We evaluated the correlation between intra-operative assessment of residual tumor and early and follow-up imaging. (2) Methods: The charts of all patients undergoing primary surgery for sporadic vestibular schwannoma during the study period were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding surgeons' assessments of the extent of resection, and the residual size of the tumor on post-operative day (POD) one and follow-up MRI were extracted. (3) Results: Of 109 vestibular schwannomas meeting inclusion criteria, gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in eighty-four, near-total (NTR) and sub-total resection (STR) in twenty-two and three patients, respectively. On follow up imaging, volumetric analysis revealed that of twenty-two NTRs, eight were radiographic GTR and nine were radiographic STR (mean volume ratio 11.9%), while five remained NTR (mean volume ratio 1.8%). Of the three STRs, two were radiographic GTR while one remained STR. Therefore, of eighteen patients with available later follow up MRIs, radiographic classification of the degree of resection changed in six. (4) Conclusions: An early MRI (POD#1) establishes a baseline for the residual tumor that may be more accurate than the surgeon's intraoperative assessment and may provide a beneficial point of comparison for long-term surveillance.

Minimally invasive resection of cervical schwannoma (C1-C2 level) using tubular retractors.

Cervical schwannoma excision usually involves laminectomy and violation of the facet joints that necessitates the need for fusion with consequent loss of cervical mobility. The authors present the first video demonstration of an excision of the cervical schwannoma at the C1-2 level using minimally invasive spine tubular retractors, which allows direct access to the lesion and prevents the need for any bony removal. It also preserves the paraspinal muscles, which are important for spinal stability, especially at the C2 level. Special attention is given to incision planning and preoperative image analysis for preventing injury to critical neurovascular structures at this level.

The role of intraoperative neuromonitoring of facial nerve in microsurgical excision of vestibular schwannomas

Abstract Background Preserving the function of facial nerve (FN) is an important objective of cerebellopontine angle tumor excision. FN paresis and paralysis possibly happen postoperatively, in particular for vestibular schwannoma (VS) excision, despite efforts to prevent injury and preserve anatomic integrity of the FN during dissection. Aim Evaluation of the role of neuromonitoring of FN in microsurgical resection of VSs and its impact on FN function preservation and quality of life. Patients and methods This trial was conducted on 22 patients with VS in the period from February 2018 to February 2020. All patients had undergone VS microsurgical excision in the Neurosurgery Department, Tanta University Hospitals. Results According to House-Brackmann grading scale, the functions of FN postoperatively were grade I in 16 patients (72.6%), grade III in three patients (13.6%), grade IV in two patients (9%), and grade V in one patient (4.7%). So, House-Brackmann grading scale II to VI means preservation less than 100%, which was achieved in six patients (27.3%). Conclusion Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring plays an essential step in modern skull base surgery generally and in VS surgery specifically. FN electromyography does not only help localize and identify the anatomy of FN but as well keep FN integrity of function and can be helpful in the prediction of its postoperative functional outcome.

Staged surgical excision of a premaxillary plexiform schwannoma causing nasal obstruction and deformity

While schwannomas of the head and neck are not uncommon, plexiform type schwannomas are rare with very few nasal cases described in the literature

Surgical Neuropelveology: Laparoscopic Nerve-sparing Excision of a Pelvic Schwannoma

To show how advanced pelvic Schwannoma can be safely managed with a laparoscopic approach. Demonstration of the laparoscopic technique with narrated video footage. Schwannomas are benign tumors that arise from well-differentiated Schwann cells (glial cells) of peripheral nerve sheaths. Schwannomas are nonaggressive, slow-growing, solitary masses with a low rate of malignant transformation and a low risk of recurrence after resection. They rarely occur in the pelvis, with a reported incidence of 1% to 3%. Tumors involving spinal nerve roots commonly present with radicular pain and nerve compression syndromes (Supplemental Video 1-3). This video shows the management of pelvic Schwannoma originating from the left sacral root S1 by a minimally invasive approach. Laparoscopic nerve-sparing excision of a pelvic Schwannoma. Historically, pelvic schwannomas have been managed mainly by laparotomy. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and safety of a large pelvic Schwannoma excision by a minimally invasive approach.

Solitary Extremity Schwannoma: A 20-Year Review of Outcomes.

Background: Reports on benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour extirpation over the last number of decades describe varying patient outcomes. We present our outcomes following excision of solitary extremity schwannoma over a 20-year period. Methods: A regional histopathology review was conducted for, "benign nerve sheath tumour" and schwannoma between 2000 and 2020. This search provided 131 histologically confirmed schwannomas that were excised from the extremities of 123 patients. Individual charts were reviewed retrospectively to establish presenting features and post-operative outcomes. Results: One hundred and twenty three patients underwent schwannoma excision, including 8 patients with synchronous tumours. The mean age at presentation was 49 years (range 11-92 years). The most common presenting symptoms were the following: palpable mass (88%), pain (70%), paraesthesia (21%), numbness (13%), and motor deficit (4%). Post-operative follow-up ranged from 1 to 168 months (mean 12.3 months) (N = 99). Fifty-eight cases reported complete resolution of symptoms by end of outpatient follow-up (59%). The remaining reported either residual or new numbness (21%), paraesthesia (11%), pain (10%), weakness (4%), hypertrophic or keloid scar (3%), or a combination. Thirty patients (30%) developed new symptoms post-operatively including numbness (13%), paraesthesia (10%), pain (2%), and weakness (2%). There was a trend towards higher risk of post-operative pain, numbness or paraesthesia in patients undergoing excision of schwannomas on larger mixed nerves than in patients undergoing excision on smaller sensory nerves (P = .0531). Conclusion: Surgical excision of benign schwannomas is a successful procedure, especially for pain management, however, complete symptom resolution cannot be guaranteed, and the risk of new or persisting numbness, paraesthesia, pain, and weakness should be highlighted to patients during the consent process.

Robotic excision of sacral root schwannoma.

Robotic excision of sacral root schwannoma.

Surgical considerations for maximal safe excision of subaxial cervical dumbbell Schwannoma in a single approach

Surgical considerations for maximal safe excision of subaxial cervical dumbbell Schwannoma in a single approach

Anaesthetic management of a patient for cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma excision.

Anaesthetic management of a patient for cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma excision.

Cochlear implantation: an effective modality for hearing restoration following vestibular schwannoma resection.

Preservation of hearing is one of the tenets of vestibular schwannoma management. In recent years, cochlear implants have been employed with increasing use in patients who have suffered profound sensorineural hearing loss due to the natural history of vestibular schwannoma or due to injury to neurovascular anatomy at time of surgical resection. Cochlear implantation has been found to be an effective modality for hearing restoration following vestibular schwannoma. Simultaneous cochlear implantation has been employed by an increased number of centers around the world and has been shown to provide restoration of open set speech perception and return of binaural hearing. Ongoing use of electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) has improved our detection of viable cochlear nerves and provided insight into those who would benefit from this procedure. Finally, minimally invasive approaches to the internal auditory canal and intralabyrinthine tumors have been described. These methods frequently employ simultaneous cochlear implantation and have emphasized that hearing preservation remains possible with surgical excision despite the location of the tumor. Cochlear implantation is an effective modality for hearing restoration following vestibular schwannoma excision.