title: Giant sacral schwannoma. A case report.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a rare case of a previously operated giant schwannoma located in the sacrum, and to make some considerations regarding diagnostic modalities and treatment options.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Large sacral schwannomas with anterior cortex erosion and associated intrapelvic extension are uncommon. Only a few case reports and small series have been published. There is no established consensus regarding diagnostic modalities, necessity for histologic diagnosis before surgery, or best surgical option.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient presented with a 2-month history of right sciatica and severe low back pain. After a histopathologic diagnosis and a complete set of image studies, the resection of the tumoral mass was planned posteriorly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen months after tumor resection, the patient has a good clinical outcome, and there are no radiologic signs of instability or recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the experience of the few cases reported in the world literature, the management of this tumor appears to grant favorable results, recurrence being the most frequent complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Ortolan
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sola
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gruenberg
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carballo Vazquez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012585:Sciatica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed