Clinical Analysis of 73 Cases of Intraspinal Nerve Sheath Tumor

Seventy-three patients with spinal nerve sheath tumor who were surgically treated in our hospital during the years 2004-2010 were retrospectively reviewed with respect to recovery of neurological function, recurrence of the tumor and occurrence of kyphotic deformities. Preoperative clinical manifestations, imaging data, surgical records and follow-up results were comprehensively analyzed. The follow-up duration was 12-60 months with an average of 32.0 months. Out of the 73 cases enrolled, 69 had gradual recovery of sensation, motor and sphincter functions 1 week to 3 months after operation. Forty-six cases had incomplete paralysis, whose American Spinal Injury Association （ASIA） grades, however, were gradually increased during the follow-up period, 4 cases had no significant improvement of the clinical symptoms and no change in ASIA grades during the follow-up period. Two cases had postoperative recurrence of the tumor. There were no deaths, no spinal instability, and no kyphotic malformations fotmd in any cases. Our study indicated that complete removal of the tumor is important for good recovery, and an ideal surgical method may reduce the recurrence of the tumor or the occurrence of complications.

Granulocytic sarcoma with long spinal cord compression:A case report

BACKGROUND As an extramedullary form of proliferating myeloblasts,granulocytic sarcoma(GS)is common in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.GS in the central nervous system is rare,and an intraspinal space-occupying lesion caused by GS is even rarer.Surgical decompression is often necessary to remove the intraspinal space-occupying lesion.To the best of our knowledge,we report,for the first time a case of GS that caused extensive compression in the spinal canal without surgical decompression treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 15-year-old male suddenly developed numbness and weakness in his lower limbs for 10 d,which affected his walking ability.Acute myeloid leukemia was later diagnosed in the Department of Hematology.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that multiple segmental space-occupying lesions were causing severe spinal cord compression in the thoracic spinal canal.As a result,the patient received routine chemotherapy before surgery.Interestingly,the intraspinal space-occupying lesions completely diminished on magnetic resonance imaging after a course of chemotherapy,and the sensation and strength in his lower limbs markedly recovered.CONCLUSION An intraspinal space-occupying lesion could be the first symptom of acute myeloid leukemia,causing spinal nerve compression without any other symptoms.Following standard chemotherapy,spinal canal compression can be quickly relieved,and the spinal cord and nerve function restored,avoiding emergency surgery.