A case involving complete removal of C2 dumbbell type neurinoma with preservation of the surrounding supportive tissue

We report a case in which C2 neurinoma was completely removed with preservation of the surrounding supportive tissue. A 47-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with gait disturbance and spinal tumor identified in other hospital. Neurological examination on admission revealed hyperreflexia in bilateral limbs and pathological reflexes. Cervical plain X-radiography showed erosion of the left C2 lamina. Axial Gd-enhanced T1 weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images showed partial enhancement of a dumbbell shaped tumor at the C1-2 level, revealing compression of the spinal cord to the right and extending to postero-laterally, and coronal MR images demonstrated that the tumor was clearly surrounded by the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis and inferior oblique muscles. The tumor was resected through a posterior approach without injuring the surrounding supportive tissue. Post operatively, she did not complain of nuchal pain during neck movement. After a 6-month follow-up period, cervical plain X-radiography showed preservation of cervical alignment, and coronal Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MR images demonstrated preservation of the posterior group of cervical muscles. It is desirable to preserve the surrounding supportive tissue as far as possible in order to minimize the postoperative neck pain and instability of cervical spine, like this case.