{"id":"ddb4ce9f-b377-4d4e-a391-480c213815da","slug":"posterior-fossa-melanocytic-schwannoma-extending-to-the-cervicothoracic-spinal-cord-a-clinical-rarity","title":"Posterior fossa melanocytic schwannoma extending to the cervicothoracic spinal cord: A clinical rarity","authors":["Zoha Zahid Fazal","Syeda Maryam Kazmi","Mohammad Hamza Bajwa","Ahsan Ali Khan"],"abstract":"Background: Melanocytic schwannomas (MSs) are rare, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with only 200 cases reported to date. These pose imaging and pathological challenges for definitive diagnosis. Case Description: A 25-year-old lady presented at our center with a prolonged history of gait disturbance, left ear tinnitus, headaches, and drowsiness. MRI findings showed a midline cystic lesion in the posterior cranial fossa extending caudally to the D1 vertebral body, with marked central hypointensity, and peripheral hyperintensity on T1-weighted images. A suboccipital craniotomy and debulking of the lesion were performed, showing a hyperpigmented, infiltrative tumor adherent to the surrounding structures. This was confirmed as a melanocytic schwannoma on histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Posterior fossa MSs involving cervicomedullary region and extending distally to cervicothoracic spinal cord are rare and complex cases, particularly with regard to difficulty diagnosing preoperatively and surgical resection.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/ddb4ce9f-b377-4d4e-a391-480c213815da/featured/hero-cropped-1781561020242.jpg","publishDate":"2022-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_183_2022","categories":["Unique Case Observations","Image Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/ddb4ce9f-b377-4d4e-a391-480c213815da/pdf"}