Cervical intramedullary schwannoma. Case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Neuropathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Schwannomas are typically peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
• Intramedullary schwannomas are rare, particularly in the cervical spine.
• Association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen's disease) is common but not universal.

Observation:

• A unique case of a cervical intramedullary schwannoma is presented.
• The patient showed no clinical or genetic evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease.
• Diagnostic difficulties using intraoperative frozen section biopsy are discussed.

Findings:

• Histopathological confirmation of schwannoma within the spinal cord parenchyma.
• Absence of typical features associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.
• Literature review of 15 previously reported cases of intramedullary schwannoma.

Implications:

• Challenges in the preoperative diagnosis of intramedullary schwannoma.
• Understanding the diverse origins and presentations of spinal cord tumors.
• Importance of considering schwannoma in the differential diagnosis of cervical spinal masses, even without syndromic features.