Intradural lumbar cystic schwannoma

Intradural lumbar cystic schwannomas are a very rare entity and only 10 case reports have been reported in the literature. The diagnosis and management remains a challenge for clinical physicians. Herein, we report a 51-year-old female presenting with lower back pain and radiating pain at the left upper thigh. Magnetic resonance images of lumbar spine demonstrated an intradural cystic mass approximately 18 x 17 x 35 mm in size occupying L4 to L5, which appeared as the same signal intensity as CSF. At operation, a well encapsulated cystic mass was found. The pathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of schwannoma. The relevant literature was also reviewed.