Intramedullary Schwannoma in the Cervical Region: A Case Report

Intramedullary schwannomas are a type of benign spinal cord tumor that originates from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. They are relatively rare and typically occur within the spinal cord itself, rather than in the surrounding tissue. Treatment options for cervical intramedullary schwannomas include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and observation. Surgery is often considered the first-line treatment, as complete removal of the tumor can provide the best outcome for patients. However, the choice of treatment will depend on various factors such as the size and location of the tumor. In this study, a case of intramedullary schwannoma located in the cervical region is presented and the literature is reviewed. The literature review searched through some databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, and Ovid Medline, and found a total of 83 cases of intramedullary cervical schwannomas reported in 70 articles since 1932. Forty-nine of the cases were male, 34 of them were female and the mean age was 38.9 years. The cases associated with neurofibromatosis were not included in this study. Astrocytoma, ependymoma, and schwannoma are all tumors that can occur within the spinal cord, but they have different origins, different characteristics, and different growth patterns. Astrocytomas and ependymomas are more commonly found in intramedullary locations within the spinal cord, compared to schwannomas. In summary, when intramedullary tumors are suspected, it's important to consider schwannomas as a differential diagnosis.