Background: Dumbbell-shaped schwannomas involving the spinal canal, the intervertebral foramen, and the thoracic cavity are rare lesions. Surgical treatment represents a challenge, and there is no consensus regarding ideal management. Two major surgical routes have been used: combined laminectomy and open thoracotomy or posterolateral extrapleural approach with wide bone removal. This report describes a relatively easy surgical strategy, combined laminectomy and thoracoscopy, which allows safe resection under an adequate view with low risk of spinal instability, pain, or respiratory problems.
Case description: A 74-year-old man presented with rapidly progressing motor impairment caused by a dumbbell-shaped, 65-mm, Eden type III lesion at the T5 level. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intraspinal-extradural mass extending into the chest cavity and causing severe spinal cord compression. The patient underwent single-stage surgery performed by a neurosurgical and thoracic team. The extradural and foraminal tumor components were first removed through a 1-level laminectomy with foraminotomy and without facetectomy. Subsequently, video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed to approach the anterior paraspinal component. Total tumor removal, confirmed with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, was achieved. Pathologic diagnosis was schwannoma. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient's neurologic deficits resolved, and he experienced minimal pain after the operation.
Conclusions: A single-stage operation using combined laminectomy and video-assisted thoracic surgery is a safe and efficacious strategy for achieving total removal of dumbbell-shaped thoracic schwannomas, even in cases involving giant lesions and elderly patients.
Keywords: Dumbbell; Minimally invasive surgery; Nerve sheath tumor; Schwannoma; Video-assisted thoracic surgery.
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