A ventral midline primary schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Intradural schwannomas can occur at any level of the spine. According to the literature, approximately 8% of intradural schwannomas occur in the atlantoaxial spine, and these tumors are usually located in the posterolateral or lateral spinal cord. In contrast, tumors in the ventral midline of the spinal cord are relatively rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 47-year-old female presented with progressively worsening neck pain and paresthesias in both upper and lower limbs for the past 5 years.

DIAGNOSIS

Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and histopathological findings, she was diagnosed with ventral midline primary schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with surgical resection.

OUTCOMES

Follow-up visit at 2 years after the surgery showed that the patient is neurologically intact and free of disease.

CONLUSION

In summary, for the tumors in the ventral midline of the atlantoaxial spinal cord, the preferred treatment is complete surgical resection by the posterior approach compared to the anterior approach, which often improves clinical symptoms or achieves a healing effect.