Dumbbell malignant dorsal schwannoma embolized and operated by single posterior approach

Abstract

We report a case of a 41 years old patient complaining of chronic dorsalgia. MRI showed a well defined intradural extramedular dumbbell-shaped lesion, associated to a left paravertebral tumor at D5-D6 level. The tumor was embolizated prior to surgery. Following she underwent a D4-D6 laminotomy, left D5-D6 costotransversectomy and resection of the intracanal extradural part of the lesion with section of the left D5 nerve. Posteriorly, complete resection of the extracanal portion of the tumor was performed by a postero-lateral approach. The anatomopathologic diagnosis was a malignant schwannoma. After the surgery, the patient required adyuvant radiotherapic treatment. Malignant schwannoma is a very uncommon tumor which belongs to the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). It develops from Schwann cells. It is frequently associated with type 1 neurofibromatosis. MPNST usually present local recurrence and can metastatize.

Keywords: Abordaje posterior; Dumbbell; MPNST; Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors; Malignant schwannoma; Neurofibrosarcoma; Posterior approach; Reloj de arena; Schwannoma maligno; Tumores malignos de la vaina del nervio periférico.