Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2007 , Vol 17 , Num 2
Conus Medullaris Syndrome Caused by Purely Extradural Schwannoma: Surgical Effect in a Case Operated on in the Late Period
Nail ÖZDEMİR, İsmail Ertan SEVİN, Levent ÇELİK, Hamit Güneş FERAN, Şevket TEKTAŞ
İzmir Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji Kliniği, İzmir Conus medullaris syndrome is defined as the constellation of symptoms that includes no pain, in general bilaterally and symmetrical anesthesia, bowel and bladder dysfunction, disturbance in sexual capacity and variable amounts of lower extremity weakness. There are several causes of this syndrome including trauma, central disc protrusion, hemorrhage, and tumor. We present a rare case of a purely extradural schwannoma of the thoracolumbar region in a 28-yearold man with signs of conus medullaris syndrome (weakness of lower extremities, bladder and bowel incontinence). Postoperatively, the patient regained complete rectal-bladder function after 1 day and his lower extremity power of 5/5 after a period of 2 months. In this article we aim to emphasize the extradural schwannomas can be distinguished from other nerve sheath tumors growing inside the spinal canal by their clinical features and localization. Also; after surgery, recovery from severe pyramidal and autonomic deficits, even late period, is noteworthy. Anahtar Kelimeler : Conus medullaris syndrome, Extradural, Schwannoma