title: Intramedullary schwannoma with calcification of the epiconus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been few reports on intramedullary ancient schwannoma. Schwann cells are generally present in the nerve root, not in the spinal cord. Thus, intramedullary schwannomas are rare, and in most cases there is cyst formation without calcification.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report a patient with intramedullary ancient schwannoma at the epiconus together with a review of the previously published cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 78-year-old woman.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 78-year-old woman had presented with severe weakness of the lower extremities, increased patellar reflex, and sensory disturbance of the entire lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumorous mass in the intramedullary region of epiconus at T11-L1, and computed tomography revealed calcification in the tumor. She underwent total resection of the tumor. Histopathological findings were consistent with the diagnosis of ancient schwannoma. After the operation, although lower extremities weakness and sensory disturbance deteriorated transiently, lower leg pain disappeared. At the final follow-up of 10 months after the operation, lower leg pain did not relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We reported a rare case presenting epiconus syndrome due to intramedullary ancient schwannoma, which should be considered for the differential diagnosis of a tumor that shows calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sairyo
authors.forename: Nori
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirohashi
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higashino
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katoh
authors.forename: Natsuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yasui
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed