Pediatric spinal schwannomas: An institutional study

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the demography, clinical presentation, and management of spinal intradural schwannomas in pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes 21 pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) who underwent surgery for spinal intradural schwannomas from January 1998 to April 2008. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively and the information regarding clinical presentation, tumor location, operative findings, and postoperative status and functional outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (14 females and 7 males) were operated for spinal schwannomas. Six patients had associated neurofibromatosis (five were NF I and one was NF II) at presentation. The most common presenting symptom was progressive myelopathy (86%). The tumor location was either cervical or dorsal in 18 cases. All patients underwent surgery. Gross total excision was achieved in 20 cases. The median follow-up was 38 months. All the patients had neurological improvement in both power and bladder symptoms. CONCLUSION: Pediatric spinal neurofibromas/schwannomas are an uncommon but completely treatable group of tumors. Complete surgical excision gives excellent outcome.