Surgical management of Giant Lumbar Extradural Schwannoma: Report of 3 cases.

Standard surgical approach for extradural paraspinal tumours has been through a unilateral facetectomy, inter-transverse or retroperitoneal approach. Some of these approaches destabilise the spine and consequently require a fusion procedure. Access to these tumours through a minimal access route can decrease tissue damage, fasten post-operative recovery and obviate the need for a concomitant fusion procedure. However, proper case selection and adequate pre-operative planning are important in choosing cases for a minimally invasive approach. We discuss three cases of giant extradural, paraspinal schwannomas. One case that was associated with listhesis along with the tumour situated more anteriorly and embedded in the psoas muscle was managed by lateral retroperitoneal route with simultaneous interbody graft followed by posterior interspinous stabilising device. The other two cases were managed by minimal access route using a 22mm fixed tubular retractor, one by a paramedian approach and one by far lateral approach. The technique and merits of the procedure are discussed.