Ritika Singh1, Sujata Chaturvedi1, Ishita Pant1, Gurbachan Singh2, Rima Kumari3. 1. 1Department of Pathology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. 2. 2Department of Neurosurgery, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. 3. 3Department of Radiology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Schwannomas at an intramedullary location constitute only 0.3% of primary spinal tumors. Those in the conus are extremely rare, especially in the absence of neurofibromatosis, with only 12 cases reported in the literature so far, excluding the present case. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 27-year-old female who presented with complaints of backache since 1 year, weakness in both lower limbs with tingling and numbness since 6 months, and urinary incontinence since 1 month. There was no history of trauma or any skin lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine provided a provisional diagnosis of ependymoma. The patient was operated upon, histopathology revealed it to be a schwannoma. DISCUSSION: Intramedullary schwannomas without neurofibromatosis are extremely rare at the conus and can be completely resected unless there is infiltration. Gliomas and ependymomas are commoner entities at this site, which are usually subtotally resected. This case highlights that although extremely rare, the possibility of a schwannoma may be considered in the differentials of an intramedullary spinal lesion.
INTRODUCTION: Schwannomas at an intramedullary location constitute only 0.3% of primary spinal tumors. Those in the conus are extremely rare, especially in the absence of neurofibromatosis, with only 12 cases reported in the literature so far, excluding the present case. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 27-year-old female who presented with complaints of backache since 1 year, weakness in both lower limbs with tingling and numbness since 6 months, and urinary incontinence since 1 month. There was no history of trauma or any skin lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine provided a provisional diagnosis of ependymoma. The patient was operated upon, histopathology revealed it to be a schwannoma. DISCUSSION: Intramedullary schwannomas without neurofibromatosis are extremely rare at the conus and can be completely resected unless there is infiltration. Gliomas and ependymomas are commoner entities at this site, which are usually subtotally resected. This case highlights that although extremely rare, the possibility of a schwannoma may be considered in the differentials of an intramedullary spinal lesion.
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