Migration of an intraspinal schwannoma documented by intraoperative ultrasound: case report.
BACKGROUND
Tumors of the cauda equina may shift with positioning on the operating table. Accurate localization at surgery is important to facilitate appropriate laminectomy and durotomy.


METHODS
We report a case of a 28-year-old man with a schwannoma of the cauda equina at L4 on preoperative MRI. Intraoperative ultrasound revealed that the tumor had migrated cephalad, and was now located at L3.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative ultrasound is a valuable technique in localization of tumors of the cauda equina.
Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
J A
JA
Friedman
J L
JL
Atkinson
J I
JI
Lane
D000328:Adult; D002420:Cauda Equina; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography