INTRAMEDULLARY SCHWANNOMA

OBJECTIVE: To present the imaging findings for two cases of intramedullary schwannoma involving the thoracic cord and the conus medullaris, PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 34-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman presented with symptoms of weakness and pain in the lower limbs. Myelography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as other examinations, were performed, RESULTS: The imaging failed to indicate the correct diagnosis in either patient. However, intramedullary schwannoma was confirmed pathologically in both patients, Subtotal excision resulted in local tumour recurrence at 5 and 3 years respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord tumours, The importance of accurate diagnosis from frozen sections at surgical biopsy is emphasized.