title: Spinal Schwannoma and Meningioma Mimicking a Single Mass at the Craniocervical Junction Subsequent to Remote Radiation Therapy for Acne Vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schwannomas and meningiomas are relatively common tumors of the nervous system. They have been reported in the literature as existing concurrently as a single mass, but very rarely have they been shown to present at the craniocervical junction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a rare and interesting case of a patient previously treated with radiation therapy for acne vulgaris and who presented to us with a concurrent schwannoma and meningioma of the craniocervical junction mimicking a single mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These tumors can be solitary or mixed masses, and are known to be associated with certain disease processes such as long-term sequelae of radiation therapy and neurofibromatosis type 2. The precise mechanism behind the formation of these tumors is unknown; however, molecular cues in the tumor microenvironment may play a role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA. Electronic address: bdliebelt@houstonmethodist.org.
authors.forename: Brandon D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Liebelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Ali S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Chandan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: J Bob
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Blacklock
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Meningioma; Radiation-induced tumor; Schwannoma; Skull base tumor