Extradural C1-C2 Dumbbell Schwannoma Mimicking an Intradural Lesion on MRI: A Case Report.
6 affiliations
- 1Neurosurgery, Hôpital Général Peltier, Djibouti City, DJI.
- 2Neurology, North Georgia Clinical Research, Woodstock, USA.
- 3Radiology, Hopital de la Police Nationale, Djibouti City, DJI.
- 4Anesthesiology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, USA.
- 5General Medicine, Asociacion Española de Socorros Mutuos, Montevideo, URY.
- 6Internal Medicine, Crossover Health, Louisville, USA.
Abstract
Cervical dumbbell schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that may present diagnostic challenges when preoperative imaging suggests intradural involvement despite an extradural origin. We report the case of a 43‑year‑old African male with a three‑year history of right‑sided cervicobrachialgia and two years of progressive quadriparesis, sensory loss, and mixed reflex abnormalities consistent with cervical myelopathy. MRI demonstrated a 31 × 21 mm C1-C2 mass initially interpreted as intradural‑extramedullary. However, intraoperative findings revealed a purely extradural schwannoma arising from the nerve root, producing significant spinal cord compression through a classic dumbbell configuration. A posterior midline approach with C2 laminectomy allowed safe microsurgical resection, achieving gross total removal without cerebrospinal fluid leakage, without neurological deterioration, and with progressive improvement of quadriparesis. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete resection with expected inflammatory changes and no residual tumor. This case underscores the importance of correlating radiological and intraoperative findings, as cervical schwannomas may mimic intradural lesions on MRI. Accurate classification and tailored surgical planning are essential for optimal outcomes, particularly in resource‑limited settings.
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BibTeX
@article{dianka2026extradural,
title = {{Extradural C1-C2 Dumbbell Schwannoma Mimicking an Intradural Lesion on MRI: A Case Report.}},
author = {Mamadou Bata Dianka and Yelka Matos Furones and Daoud Ali Mohamed and Luis F Gonzalez Vazquez and Yoniel Suarez-Guerrero and Heriberto Y Gonzalez Bonaga},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116836},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927073},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Extradural C1-C2 Dumbbell Schwannoma Mimicking an Intradural Lesion on MRI: A Case Report.
AU - Mamadou Bata Dianka
AU - Yelka Matos Furones
AU - Daoud Ali Mohamed
AU - Luis F Gonzalez Vazquez
AU - Yoniel Suarez-Guerrero
AU - Heriberto Y Gonzalez Bonaga
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116836
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927073
AB - Cervical dumbbell schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that may present diagnostic challenges when preoperative imaging suggests intradural involvement despite an extradural origin. We report the case of a 43‑year‑old African male with a three‑year history of right‑sided cervicobrachialgia and two years of progressive quadriparesis, sensory loss, and mixed reflex abnormalities consistent with cervical myelopathy. MRI demonstrated a 31 × 21 mm C1-C2 mass initially interpreted as intradural‑extramedullary. However, intraoperative findings revealed a purely extradural schwannoma arising from the nerve root, producing significant spinal cord compression through a classic dumbbell configuration. A posterior midline approach with C2 laminectomy allowed safe microsurgical resection, achieving gross total removal without cerebrospinal fluid leakage, without neurological deterioration, and with progressive improvement of quadriparesis. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete resection with expected inflammatory changes and no residual tumor. This case underscores the importance of correlating radiological and intraoperative findings, as cervical schwannomas may mimic intradural lesions on MRI. Accurate classification and tailored surgical planning are essential for optimal outcomes, particularly in resource‑limited settings.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -