Intraspinal Canal Schwannoma with Extensive Calcification: Case Report and Literature Review

Schwannomas are the most common benign tumors in the intraspinal location, with slow-growing and nonaggressive features. Calcification is not a common histopathological and radiological feature in schwannoma.

We report the case of a 43-year-old man with soreness in the lower back, left buttock, and lower limb of 1 month's duration. On magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, an intradural mass with extensive calcification was found at the L1-L2 level. The tumor was completely resected, with sacrifice of 1 nerve root. Postoperatively, his symptoms were relieved, and no dysfunction of the lower limbs and sphincter was observed. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a schwannoma with extensive calcification. At the 7-month follow-up examination, no complaints were found.

Although intraspinal schwannoma with extensive calcification is rare, which increases the difficulty of an accurate diagnosis preoperatively, the tumor can be completely removed with or without excision of the nonfunctional nerve roots.