Midline ventral intradural schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord resected via anterior corpectomy with reconstruction: technical case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Spinal cord schwannomas are intradural nerve sheath tumors that almost universally occupy a dorsolateral, lateral, or ventrolateral position. Therefore, resection of these lesions typically proceeds via a posterior or posterolateral approach.


METHODS
We present a case of a midline ventral intradural schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord causing myelopathy. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports specifically discuss purely midline ventral intradural schwannomas.


METHODS
Resection of the tumor was performed via an anterior cervical corpectomy with spinal arthrodesis and fixation. We review possible causes for such an anomalous location for schwannoma as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical strategies for removing the tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
This case exemplifies the usefulness of anterior approaches to the cervical spine in treating unusual intradural spinal cord tumors.
O'Toole
John E
JE
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Neurological Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
McCormick
Paul C
PC
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion