John E O'Toole1, Paul C McCormick. 1. Department of Neurological Surgery, The Neurological Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Spinal cord schwannomas are intradural nerve sheath tumors that almost universally occupy a dorsolateral, lateral, or ventrolateral position. Therefore, resection of these lesions typically proceeds via a posterior or posterolateral approach. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a case of a midline ventral intradural schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord causing myelopathy. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports specifically discuss purely midline ventral intradural schwannomas. INTERVENTION: Resection of the tumor was performed via an anterior cervical corpectomy with spinal arthrodesis and fixation. We review possible causes for such an anomalous location for schwannoma as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical strategies for removing the tumor. CONCLUSION: This case exemplifies the usefulness of anterior approaches to the cervical spine in treating unusual intradural spinal cord tumors.
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Spinal cord schwannomas are intradural nerve sheath tumors that almost universally occupy a dorsolateral, lateral, or ventrolateral position. Therefore, resection of these lesions typically proceeds via a posterior or posterolateral approach. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a case of a midline ventral intradural schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord causing myelopathy. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports specifically discuss purely midline ventral intradural schwannomas. INTERVENTION: Resection of the tumor was performed via an anterior cervical corpectomy with spinal arthrodesis and fixation. We review possible causes for such an anomalous location for schwannoma as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical strategies for removing the tumor. CONCLUSION: This case exemplifies the usefulness of anterior approaches to the cervical spine in treating unusual intradural spinal cord tumors.
Authors: Andrew T Parsa; Janet Lee; Ian F Parney; Philip Weinstein; Paul C McCormick; Christopher Ames Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2004 Aug-Sep Impact factor: 4.130