Magnetic resonance imaging of intramedullary spinal cord schwannomas. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Intramedullary spinal cord schwannomas are rare benign tumors for which resection is possible and safe. The purpose of this paper is to present the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features in two cases of intramedullary spinal cord schwannoma to assist both neurosurgeons and pathologists in preventing misdiagnosis and resultant partial resection. The MR imaging evidence of a small- or medium-sized well-marginated intramedullary spinal cord tumor in a patient in whom no syringomyelia is present but in whom moderate edema with marked Gd enhancement can be seen shouldbe considered in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord schwannoma. In cases in which an associated thickened Gd-enhancing spinal nerve root is seen the diagnosis of schwannoma should be assumed.