title: Nerve sheath tumor surgery: case-guided discussion of ambiguous findings, appropriateness of removal, repeated surgery, and nerve repairs.
abstract: In this article the authors attempt to raise awareness of the pitfalls and controversial issues in nerve tumor surgery. In a case-guided format, examples of ambiguous findings, inappropriate tumor removal, repeated surgery, and nerve repairs are provided. The authors also discuss the need to establish a correct diagnosis preoperatively and to avoid the erroneous identification of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). They emphasize that not all of the principles of soft tissue sarcoma treatment protocols are applicable to MPNST. A situation of repeated surgery for supposedly malignant tumor is described, and an outline of the indications for, and an approach to, repair after lesion removal is given.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Department, Universität Ulm, Günzburg, Germany. thomas.kretschmer@uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kretschmer
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoniadis
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heinen
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Börm
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheller
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Koenig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods