Purpose: To report two quite rare cases of giant schwannomas
of the cervical and thoracic spine. Surgical resection is usually the treatment
of choice for these neoplasms. Methods: The first patient
is a 48-year-old male that came to our department, complaining about weakness
and paresthesia of both lower extremities and upper left extremity, and a
considerably big dorsal palpable lump. MRI and CT scan were used to diagnose
giant cervical schwannoma. Because of the intensity of symptoms, he was
subjected to surgery. Multidisciplinary resection involving neurosurgical and
oncosurgicalteamn was performed for intravertebral and extravertebral
approaches. The second patient is a 55-year-old female that came to the
hospital complaining about incapacitating
pain and dysesthesia involving T6, T7, and T8 dermatomes, with no other
deficits. MRI and CT scan were used to diagnose giant thoracic schwannoma. Because of the intensity of the pain, surgery was decided as the
treatment of choice. Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed and
total resection was achieved, with improvement of the symptoms. Results: Both patients showed complete remission of
the symptoms, with no major deficits after surgery. Conclusion: Although
infrequent, giant spinal schwannomas may be the cause of visible lumps
in the back with radicular symptoms. When asymptomatic, conservative treatment
could be viable, but when they present symptoms, surgery offers good results.
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