Thoracic mobile neurinoma

Abstract

The authors report a rare case of intraspinal thoracic mobile neurinoma in a 51-year-old man. The clinical symptoms, especially thoracoabdominal discomfort, changed remarkably according to the patient's posture. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated that the level of the caudal end of the tumor varied between T4-5 and T9-10 with changes in the patient's position. Intraoperative myelography was useful in identifying the tumor location and choosing the level of the laminectomy.

Migrating Extramedullary Intradural Schwannoma of Cervico-Thoracic Junction

“…Migration was most commonly within one vertebral level distance, however migration upto five level vertebral distances have also been reported in thoracic region [2,3]. In our case, the tumor was initially located at the lower cervical region (upper border of C5 vertebral body to lower border of D1) on first MRI and migrated caudally to lie at the level of C7 to D3 as was seen on the second MRI.…”

“…In most cases, mobile tumors such as nerve sheath tumors or ependymomas are located in the cauda equina [1]. Only few cases of mobile neurinoma have been reported in the cervical and thoracic region [2]. Here we report a rare case of a mobile intradural schwannoma initially located at lower cervical region that had caudal migration on subsequent scan.…”

Mobility of Intradural Extramedullary Schwannoma at Spine : Report of Three Cases with Literature Review

“…Migration distance was most commonly within one level vertebral distance (80%). Maximum of five level vertebral distance was also reported at thoracic cord lesion 6) . There was tumor migration even up to cervical C2-3 cord level by two level vertebral distance 10) .…”

“…Preoperative pressure-related symptoms such as pain aggravation by coughing, sneezing and position-related symptom such as pain-easing by lying were described in some articles 2,9) . Some authors mentioned about intraoperative tumor migration during laminectomy 6) or tumor movement up and down in the operative field 11) . Tomimatsu demonstrated intraoperative movement of a cervical tumor by photographs.…”

Mobile Schwannoma of High Cervical Cord: A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Migration of tumors has many possible mechanisms. They are mostly attributed to postural change, redundant nerve root, thrust of radiopaque material during myelography (8,9,10,11,12) and laminectomy procedure itself (14,15) . There is only one case reported in literature where cervical tumor has migrated cranially.…”