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

BACKGROUND

Intramedullary schwannoma is a relatively rare tumor 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.

METHODS

The inclusion criterion was consecutive patients with intramedullary schwannomas who were surgically treated in our institution between 2017 and 2022. Data included clinical characteristics, radiologic features, surgical management, and prognosis. Clinical and follow-up details of all cases were collected and reviewed.

RESULTS

This study included 3 male and 8 female patients. The mean age was 45 years (range 26-77 years). Cervical spine (4 cases, 36.4%), thoracic spine (4 cases, 36.4%), and lumbosacral spine (3 cases, 27.3%) involvement was found. Weakness, numbness and pain of limbs were the main symptoms at administration. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated lesion with spinal cord medullary invasion and well demarcated margins. The postoperative histologic examination showed benign lesions and confirmed the schwannoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This article presented a series of 11 cases of intramedullary schwannoma with sharp margins and well-enhanced features. Prognosis and functional recovery were good after gross total resection.