Background: Migratory tumors of the spinal cord are rare and can present as a missing tumor intraoperatively. This can lead to unnecessary abandonment of surgery or unnecessary laminectomies.
Case description: We present a case of migratory intradural extramedullary tumor of the spine, which was missing intraoperatively. The surgery was abandoned, and on reimaging the tumor was found to have migrated. Here we summarize a review of the literature of such cases and the lessons we learned from our experience, emphasizing the measures to prevent tumor displacement and the importance of intraoperative imaging.
Conclusions: Migratory schwannoma should be suspected in case of a missing lesion. Intraoperative ultrasonography and myelography use should be definitely considered where facility for intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging is not available. Preventive measures should be taken to avoid tumor migration in all routine cases of intradural extramedullary lesions.
Keywords: CSF dynamics; Intraoperative imaging; Migratory intradural extramedullary schwannoma; Redundant nerve roots; Subarachnoid space dilatation.
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