Is surgery for brachial plexus schwannomas safe and effective?

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Schwannomas of the brachial plexus are rare tumors.
• Surgical treatment of these benign tumors presents significant challenges.
• Few studies investigate surgical outcomes for brachial plexus tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze presentation, location, and complications of brachial plexus schwannomas.
• Evaluate neurologic outcomes and recurrence rates after surgical excision.
• Assess the efficacy and risks of surgical intervention for brachial plexus schwannomas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 19 patients treated by a single orthopaedic hand surgeon.
• Analysis of medical records and MRI data from February 2002 to August 2012.
• Evaluation of preoperative and postoperative neurologic deficits and tumor recurrence with a minimum 12-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• The most common presentation was a palpable mass.
• Tumors were found at all brachial plexus levels (root, trunk, cord, branches).
• 14 of 19 patients had no postoperative neurologic deficits; 5 had transient or specific nerve deficits. No recurrence was observed.

Conclusions:

• Brachial plexus schwannomas are potentially curable with acceptable surgical risk.
• Precise surgical techniques allow for symptom improvement with minimal morbidity.
• Surgical excision is a viable option for managing brachial plexus schwannomas.