Spinal schwannoma in the cervical region.
Cervical spinal schwannomas can vary in size and may cause symptoms depending on their location and size. Common symptoms may include neck pain, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands, tingling sensations, and, in some cases, difficulty with coordination or walking if the tumor compresses the spinal cord.
Cervical spinal schwannoma is benign, and outcomes after surgical resection are generally excellent. A surgical dilemma sometimes arises as to whether to perform total tumor removal, which carries a risk of sacrificing the nerve root, or subtotal removal, where the risk can be tumor recurrence.
The report describes a 47-year-old male with a history of total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. The patient presents with a tumor on the left side of the neck that has been increasing in size over the past year. There are no systemic symptoms or dysphonia.
The MRI findings show a solid, heterogeneous lesion on the left side of the neck, with hyperintense signal intensity on STIR sequences and restricted diffusion. It is marked and heterogeneous contrast enhancement in the same area, with extension towards the C4-C5, left intervertebral foramen. This lesion is similar in size and morphology to previous studies, with no new lesions identified.
In conclusion, the study indicates a left cervical paravertebral schwannoma.