[Dumbbell-shaped cervical spinal neurilemmoma presenting as neck mass: diagnosis and treatment]

Cervical neurilemmoma originating from cervical spine could extend through foramen intervertebrale and displayed a radiographic features as a cervical intra- and extra-spinal dumbbell-shaped mass.Because of its early compressive spine cord, patients usually visited neurosurgery at first. In this paper, two patients of cervical intra- and extra-spinal dumbbell-shaped neurilemmoma visiting oral and maxillofacial surgery complained of upper cervical mass were reported, aiming to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic skill for oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Two case of cervical dumbbell tumors who complained of a neck mass underwent surgery and were followed up by oral and maxillofacial surgeons .The pathogenesis,operative approach and prognosis were discussed by reviewing relevant literatures retrospectively.

Both of the two patients' presenting symptoms were upper-cervical masses. Preoperative imaging suggested trans-cervical vertebra dumbbell masses.The tumors were removed through combining the posterior midline and lateral cervical approach, and a gross total resection was achieved.No evidence of recurrence was noted after one-year of follow-up.

The initial symptom of cervical intra- and extra-spinal dumbbell-shaped neurilemmoma may be a cervical mass and inconspicuous compressive spine cord. Analysis is essentially devoted to the radicality of tumor resection, nerve root preservation, relation to the vertebral artery, and compromise of spinal stability.The surgical resection of dumbbell-shaped cervical spinal neurilemmoma can pose a formidable challenge.