Spinal schwannomatosis: case report of a rare condition

Schwannomatosis is a rare tumour syndrome characterized by more than one schwannoma without any sign of neurofibromatosis (NF). A 22-year-old male patient was admitted with weakness in his extremities. Neurological examination revealed a tetraparesis syndrome below the C6 level. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a demarcated mass with strong enhancement at the C4-7 levels. The patient improved rapidly after removal of the tumour. The histological diagnosis was schwannoma. Two years later, the same patient was admitted with the complaint of severe low back and leg pains. The neurological examination was normal except bilateral positive straight leg raising test and dysesthesia at the L3,4 and 5 dermatomes. MR showed a wellcircumscribed lesion at L4-5. Laminectomy and tumour excision relieved his complaints. The histological diagnosis was schwannoma. A detailed clinical examination and MR scanning of the central nervous syndrome excluded NF2. In conclusion, although schwannomatosis is a benign condition, symptomatic tumours should be resected surgically.