Surgical approaches to paraspinal nerve sheath tumors

• DOI: 10.3171/foc.2007.22.6.10
• Publication Date: 2008-01-24T12:23:44Z
• Authors: Alice Cherqui; Daniel H. Kim; Se-Hoon Kim; Hyung-Ki Park; David G. Kline
• Keywords: Nerve sheath tumor; Muscle weakness

Object The goal of this study was to analyze the results surgical treatment paraspinal nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) and review approaches NSTs. Methods A retrospective cases NSTs treated surgically by two senior authors during period between 1970 2006 undertaken. Surgical that allow minimal disruption normal anatomy are aimed at complete resection lesions preservation spinal stability reviewed according level. Results Eighty-eight were period: 56 schwannomas, seven solitary neurofibromas, 21 neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), four malignant peripheral Schwannomas tended occur in cervical thoracic areas. Neurofibromas usually NF1 area. Pain (79 patients, 90%) paresthesia (81 92%) predominant clinical presenting symptoms; others included weakness (28 patients) myelopathy (12 patients). Total tumor achieved 50 patients (89.3%) schwannomas 22 (78.6%) neurofibromas. There a large reduction pain 70 (88.6%) 79 who had preoperative pain, improved 18 (64.3%) 28. Postoperative transient occurred 12 (42.9% ) these but 85% group, symptom over 12-month period. Myelopathy reduced eight (66.7%) patients. average follow-up months. Conclusions Paraspinal present unique challenges given their anatomical relationships spine, cord, roots, major vasculature. technique should take into account location lesion its relationship anatomy, extent resection, sparing instability.