Intramedullary schwannoma with calcification of the epiconus.
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.
Hayashi
Fumio
F
Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
Sakai
Toshinori
T
Sairyo
Koichi
K
Hirohashi
Nori
N
Higashino
Kosaku
K
Katoh
Shinsuke
S
Yasui
Natsuo
N
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