Intramedullary schwannoma. A case report

The intramedullary localization of schwannoma is rare, corresponding to 0.3% of all intraspinal tumors. We report a case of intramedullary schwannoma without symptoms suggestive of neurofibromatosis. This patient presented with symptoms of spinal compression. Total removal of the tumor was achieved. The literature is reviewed about of this rare localization of schwannoma.     

Intranasal schwannoma with extension into the intracranial compartment: case report

The authors present a case of intranasal schwannoma with extension into the intracranial compartment. Computed tomographic findings are presented, and a combined intranasal and subfrontal operative approach is described. The pathology, origin, and clinical characteristics of intranasal schwannomas are reviewed.     

Intramedullary lipoma of the cervicodorsal spinal cord with intracranial extension: case report

BACKGROUND: An unusual case of an extensive intramedullary lipoma of the cervicodorsal spinal cord with intracranial extension causing compression of spinal cord and brainstem is described. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old child with lack of limb movement since birth, the cause of which had remained obscure, developed opisthotonos and episodes of severe respiratory difficulty with brief periods of apnea. Craniospinal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were diagnostic of lipoma. Urgent occipitocervical decompression and subtotal removal of the posterior fossa and cervical spinal cord lipoma resulted in lasting resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive spinal cord lipomas with intracranial extension can present with alarming spinal cord/medullary compression and respiratory symptoms. Computed tomographic scan and MRI are diagnostic. Total removal is not feasible, or necessary, because subtotal removal and decompression give long-lasting resolution of symptoms.     

Intraosseous sacral paraganglioma with extradural extension: Case report

Background  

Paragangliomas are tumors that arise from the paraganglion system, which is a component of the neuroendocrine system. Approximately 10% are located in the extra-adrenal paraganglion system. Paragangliomas of the spine, however, are rare. They usually present as an intradural tumor in the cauda equina. There are only three reports of primary intraosseous paragangliomas of the sacrum.     

Intramedullary melanotic schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord: report of a case

We present a case report of a patient with an intramedullary tumor of the midcervical cord. At surgery, the lesion was found to be highly pigmented, and pathological analysis revealed a melanotic schwannoma. Intramedullary schwannomas and melanotic schwannomas are exceedingly rare. This is the second reported case of an intramedullary melanotic schwannoma of the central nervous system.     

Intramedullary spinal schwannoma: case report and review of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features

Intramedullary schwannomas are rare spinal cord tumours. Correct preoperative diagnosis is essential for proper surgical planning and complete resection. We present a case of cervical intramedullary schwannoma followed by discussion on its preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features and review of the literature.     

Trigeminal schwannoma with infratemporal extension. Case report

The case of a 55-year-old woman with a rare trigeminal schwannoma extending into the infratemporal fossa is described. The presentation and treatment of this type of intra and extracranial tumor are discussed.     

Intrasellar schwannoma: case report

An unusual case of an intrasellar schwannoma radiographically simulating a pituitary tumor is reported. The literature on unusual intracranial locations of schwannomas and their possible origin is discussed.     

Subfrontal schwannoma: case report

Schwannoma are benign, slowly growing nerve sheath tumors. They can arise from any peripheral nerve containing Schwann cells including distal portions of cranial nerves. Intracranial schwannomas arising from a subfrontal lesion are very rare. We report a case of subfrontal schwannoma in a 38-year-old woman who presented with seizures in February 2003. MRI features resembled an olfactory groove meningioma. The left carotid angiography revealed that the tumor was supplied from the anterior ethomoidal artery, but no remarkable tumor stain was detected. Bifrontal craniotomy with total excision of the tumor revealed a tumor in the left subfrontal lesion. The tumor was attached to the falx, the left frontal lobe, and the skull base, but those structures were not invaded. Unfortunately, we could not detect the left olfactory nerve. Subsequent histological examination proved that this tumor was schwannoma. A review of the literature found 27 cases including this case previously described. Arguments are raised that schwannomas in a subfrontal lesion are comparable to or even occur as intracranial schwannomas with frontal localization. Subfrontal schwannomas are very rare. For this reason they have not been diagnosed preoperatively. Further cases of subfrontal schwannoma are necessary to solve the enigma of the origin of this tumor.     

Intracerebral schwannoma: case report

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We report a well-documented case of intracerebral schwannoma, presenting as a cystic and solid parietal mass, arising in a 20-year-old woman. Possible mechanisms underlying the histogenesis of this rare lesion are discussed. METHODS: The clinical, radiological and pathological features are described. The relevant literature is reviewed. RESULTS: The patient presented seizures and elevated intracranial pressure. Neuroradiologic findings showed a right parietal lesion with cystic and tissular components, intensely enhanced after injecting intravenous gadolinium. The tumor was removed through a right parietal craniotomy. Histological and immunochemical features confirmed the diagnostic of intracerebral schwannoma. The patient is alive without progressive local disease or metastasis. The origin of intracerebral schwannomas has been the source of much controversy. The most popular hypothesis argues that these tumors arise from the proliferation of Schwann cells in the perivascular nerve plexii. CONCLUSIONS: Intracerebral schwannoma is an extremely rare benign tumor. About fifty cases have been reported. The importance of recognizing this tumor is stressed, particularly in younger patients, given its benign nature, radiological resemblance to other tumors and favorable response to resection without toxic treatment.     

Usefulness of transcervical approach for surgical treatment of hypoglossal schwannoma with paraspinal extension: case report

BACKGROUND: Usefulness of transcervical approach to hypoglossal schwannoma with paraspinal extension is described herein. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old woman presented with gradually worsening left hypoglossal nerve palsy. The findings were of a tumor lying in the left hypoglossal canal and paraspinal region and were consistent with hypoglossal schwannoma. Subtotal intracapsular removal of the tumor was performed via transcervical approach. The symptoms improved, and no additional symptoms were noted. CONCLUSION: The transcervical approach and intracapsular removal of the tumor under electrophysiological monitoring provided for successful minimally invasive surgery in this case of hypoglossal schwannoma.     

Subfrontal schwannoma: a case report

A case of a 63-year-old woman with subfrontal schwannoma of the left side is presented. The patient had a two-month history of recent memory disturbance and unstable gait. Computed tomography represented an isodense mass lesion with large and small cystic components in the anterior cranial fossa, enhancing homogeneously after intravenous injection of contrast medium. Cerebral angiograms revealed a noticeable hypovascularity. She underwent total resection of the tumor on May 21, 1986. It was verified that the tumor was attached to the left olfactory groove and had invaded the ethmoid bone. It was suggested that this tumor arose from one of the meningeal branches of the trigeminal nerve or of the anterior ethmoid nerve. Histological examination proved that this neoplasm was of schwannoma.     

Intraventricular schwannoma: a case report

Ventricular schwannomas are very uncommon. We report such a tumor in the right lateral ventricle of a 16-year-old young man. The various etiopathogenic hypotheses are discussed.     

Cystic cerebellar schwannoma: case report

We report a case of cerebellar schwannoma in a 64-year-old woman. The tumor was defined on computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging scans and confirmed on surgery. The solid part of the tumor appeared to be derived from the inferior vermis of the cerebellum, the cystic part extending toward the medulla oblongata and the foramen magnum. The problem of preoperative diagnosis based on magnetic resonance imaging findings is discussed.