Microexcision of intramedullary schwannoma at the thoracic vertebra

Intramedullary schwannoma is a rare type of spinal tumor that is often difficult to diagnose before surgery. It can be mistaken for other more common malignant tumors due to its unusual appearance on imaging scans and its low occurrence rate. This paper describes a case where a patient with a small intramedullary schwannoma was successfully treated with a minimally invasive surgical technique. This approach aimed to remove the tumor while maintaining the stability of the spine. The patient recovered well after the surgery, and there was no sign of the tumor returning during the two-year follow-up period. This suggests that minimally invasive surgery can be an effective treatment option for small intramedullary schwannomas.

• 1
  Intramedullary schwannomas can be successfully removed via minimally invasive hemilaminectomy, preserving spinal stability.
• 2
  MRI follow-ups showed no recurrence of the tumor and improvement of patient's symptoms after surgery.
• 3
  The treatment strategy for intramedullary schwannoma was determined based on its atypical symptoms and imaging characteristics.