Giant Cauda Equina Schwannoma with Dystrophic Calcifications : Case Report and Review of the Literature.
10.3340/jkns.2012.51.2.105
- Author:
Seung Jae HYUN
1
;
Seung Chul RHIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Spine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Giant schwannoma;
Cauda equina;
Complete excision;
Calcification;
Neuromonitoring
- MeSH:
Buttocks;
Cauda Equina;
Humans;
Hypesthesia;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Neurilemmoma;
Pectinidae;
Sacrum;
Spinal Nerves;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2012;51(2):105-108
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Giant spinal schwannoma of the cauda equine involving many nerve roots is rare, and ossification is usually not observed in the schwannoma. A 21-year-old man presented with a 12-month history of urinary dysfunction and numbness below the buttocks. Plain radiography showed scalloping of the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies from L4 to the sacrum, and magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a giant cauda equina tumor with dystrophic calcification. The tumor was completely removed, with intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. Histopathologic examination showed that the tumor was a schwannoma. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with urinary function and numbness gradually improving. Although a giant schwannoma accompanied by dystrophic calcification is extremely rare, such a tumor can be removed safely and completely by meticulous dissection and careful neuromonitoring of the cauda equina spinal nerves involved in the tumor.
