BACKGROUND: Tumors of the cauda equina may shift with positioning on the operating table. Accurate localization at surgery is important to facilitate appropriate laminectomy and durotomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 28-year-old man with a schwannoma of the cauda equina at L4 on preoperative MRI. Intraoperative ultrasound revealed that the tumor had migrated cephalad, and was now located at L3. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ultrasound is a valuable technique in localization of tumors of the cauda equina.
BACKGROUND:Tumors of the cauda equina may shift with positioning on the operating table. Accurate localization at surgery is important to facilitate appropriate laminectomy and durotomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 28-year-old man with a schwannoma of the cauda equina at L4 on preoperative MRI. Intraoperative ultrasound revealed that the tumor had migrated cephalad, and was now located at L3. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ultrasound is a valuable technique in localization of tumors of the cauda equina.