J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2003 Sep;10(3):277-282. 10.4184/jkss.2003.10.3.277.

A 6-year Observation of Multiple Spinal Schwannomas Before Excision: 1 Case Report

• Ahn DK
• Jung KW
• Lee S
• Choi DJ
• Park JS
• Cha SG

• KMID: 2209697
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2003.10.3.277

Abstract

Spinal schwannoma is a slow growing symptomatic tumor which is derived from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. Most reported cases have been single lesion, while multiple schwannomas have invariably documented one manifestation of von Recklinghausen's disease. Nevertheless, we observed a case of independent, multiple, spinal schwannomas for 6 years before excision. We report the growing velocity and progression of neurologic symptoms and neurologic changes before excision and present a literature review.

Keyword

Thoracolumbar spinal; Schwannoma; Multiple

MeSH Terms

Neurilemmoma*
Neurofibromatosis 1
Neurologic Manifestations
Peripheral Nerves
Schwann Cells

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) T1 weighted sagittal MR image which shows intermediate signal double round intradural masses at T12 and L3 level respectively. (B) T2 weighted sagittal MR image which shows no noticeable intradural mass.

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  Fig. 2. (A) Gd-enhanced sagittal MR image which shows distinctive high signal intradural extramedullary masses at T12 and L3 level respectively and slight olisthesis of L4 body. (B) Gd-enhanced transverse MR image which shows left eccentric intradural extramedullary masses, above T12, below L3.

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  Fig. 3. (A, B) MR image of same patient 3 years later with same facilities and same conditions and it shows more enlarged thoracic and lumbar masses and progression of olisthesis.

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  Fig. 4. (A, B) MR image of same patient 6 years later with same facilities and same conditions and it shows more enlarged thoracic and lumbar mass and progression of olisthesis.

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  Fig. 5. Thoracic mass which containing few intermingled nerve fibers.

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  Fig. 6. Tumor showing celluar area, Antoni A(arrow) including Verocay bodies(open arrow) as well as looser hypocellular area, Antoni B(arrow head). (H&E stain, × 100)

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  Fig. 7. Graph which shows growing of tumors according to time.

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