title: Mini-open removal of extradural foraminal tumors of the lumbar spine.
abstract: Spinal extradural foraminal neoplasms are uncommon lesions that are traditionally resected via an open laminectomy and facetectomy approach. In this paper the authors present their mini-open approach for the removal of 3 such tumors. The authors retrospectively reviewed 3 patients with extradural schwannoma who underwent mini-open resection and fusion between June 2006 and July 2007. Clinical data, tumor characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed. All 3 patients underwent successful mini-open treatment of their spinal neoplasms. Postoperative MR imaging demonstrated complete resection in 2 cases and subtotal resection in 1 case. Extradural foraminal neoplasms can be safely and effectively treated with mini-open techniques. Reductions in blood loss, hospitalization, and tissue disruption may be potential benefits of this approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Sanjay S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Dhall
authors.forename: Praveen V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Mummaneni
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*