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Could Intradural Schwannoma Be Removed Without Destabilizing Back?
Hello,
I am 64 ,male, and was diagnosed with a 3mm intradural schwonnoma at L3 [ left side ] two years ago .A follow up MRI one year ago showed no change in size. I had fusion surgery of L4 to L5 12 years ago and have been having more local pain in the last few years [ most on left side ] which was attributed to more arthritic changes above and below the fused vertabrae.
My questions are; 1. Would it be likely a schwonnoma that size be responsible for some of my pain?
2. Would it prudent to have it removed before it gets larger?
3. Could it be removed without destabilizing my back and requiring more fusions which I really want to avoid? Thank You
Jack,
I am 64 ,male, and was diagnosed with a 3mm intradural schwonnoma at L3 [ left side ] two years ago .A follow up MRI one year ago showed no change in size. I had fusion surgery of L4 to L5 12 years ago and have been having more local pain in the last few years [ most on left side ] which was attributed to more arthritic changes above and below the fused vertabrae.
My questions are; 1. Would it be likely a schwonnoma that size be responsible for some of my pain?
2. Would it prudent to have it removed before it gets larger?
3. Could it be removed without destabilizing my back and requiring more fusions which I really want to avoid? Thank You
Jack,
Wed, 12 Feb 2014
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your clinical details.
It is unlikely that a small intradural schwannoma would cause so much of pain and other symptoms.
If the tumor is pressing on the nerve, then, a pain in the distribution of the nerve may occur, but that can not explain the widespread pain that you have.
If it is not growing in size, surgery is not needed, as there is a small risk of complications during the surgery.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your clinical details.
It is unlikely that a small intradural schwannoma would cause so much of pain and other symptoms.
If the tumor is pressing on the nerve, then, a pain in the distribution of the nerve may occur, but that can not explain the widespread pain that you have.
If it is not growing in size, surgery is not needed, as there is a small risk of complications during the surgery.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
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