Long-term Follow-up of Intracapsular Schwannoma Excision

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Oncology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Schwannomas are nerve sheath tumors.
• Intracapsular excision is the standard surgical treatment.
• Long-term outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate long-term postoperative symptoms, nerve impairment, and recurrence rates after intracapsular schwannoma excision.
• To assess changes in sensory function (2-point discrimination) and pain levels.

Main Methods:

• Long-term follow-up of 18 patients who underwent intracapsular schwannoma excision.
• Preoperative and postoperative assessment of 2-point discrimination (2-PD), pain (Visual Analog Scale - VAS), Hoffmann-Tinel sign, and thermoreceptor response.
• Comparison with the contralateral healthy extremity.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in 2-point discrimination (22.7%) and reduction in pain (VAS from 6.7 to 4.0) post-surgery.
• 12 of 18 patients still had sensory deficits, but the severity decreased by 23.5%.
• No confirmed tumor recurrence; suspected cases were attributed to scarring and adhesions.

Conclusions:

• Intracapsular schwannoma excision effectively reduces pain and improves sensory deficits.
• Ongoing pain and sensory deficits can occur, potentially due to nerve injury or scarring.
• Late-onset symptoms may indicate recurrence, but scarring is a more common cause in this study.