Midline Ventral Intradural Schwannoma of the Cervical Spinal Cord Resected via Anterior Corpectomy with Reconstruction: Technical Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Spinal cord schwannomas are intradural nerve sheath tumors that almost universally occupy a dorsolateral, lateral, or ventrolateral position. Therefore, resection of these lesions typically proceeds via a posterior or posterolateral approach. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We present a case of a midline ventral intradural schwannoma of the cervical spinal cord causing myelopathy. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports specifically discuss purely midline ventral intradural schwannomas. INTERVENTION Resection of the tumor was performed via an anterior cervical corpectomy with spinal arthrodesis and fixation. We review possible causes for such an anomalous location for schwannoma as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical strategies for removing the tumor. CONCLUSION This case exemplifies the usefulness of anterior approaches to the cervical spine in treating unusual intradural spinal cord tumors.