Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report

Aleksander Joniec, Jedrzej Mikolajczyk, Bartosz Godlewski Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Raphael Hospital, Cracow, PolandCorrespondence: Aleksander Joniec, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Rapha...

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Main Authors: Joniec A, Mikolajczyk J, Godlewski B
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-06-01
Series:International Medical Case Reports Journal
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/large-anterior-cervical-spine-schwannoma-causing-dysphagia-case-report-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IMCRJ
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author Joniec A
Mikolajczyk J
Godlewski B
author_facet Joniec A
Mikolajczyk J
Godlewski B
author_sort Joniec A
collection DOAJ
description Aleksander Joniec, Jedrzej Mikolajczyk, Bartosz Godlewski Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Raphael Hospital, Cracow, PolandCorrespondence: Aleksander Joniec, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Raphael Hospital, ul. Adama Bochenka 12, Cracow, 30-693, Poland, Email Aleksander.Joniec@gmail.comIntroduction: Schwannomas are rare benign tumours of Schwann cell origin that rarely undergo malignant transformation and are most often (25– 45%) found in the head and neck region. We present a case of a large schwannoma arising directly from the anterior aspect of the cervical spine (C6-C7-Th1) that caused considerable oesophageal displacement and compression, manifesting as dysphagia.Case Report: A 52-year-old male patient sought medical advice on account of intermittent dysphagia and a sense of pressure in the neck, in the absence of pain or neurological deficits. A magnetic resonance (MRI) scan and a subsequent open/surgical biopsy revealed a large schwannoma on the anterior aspect of the spine at C6-C7-Th1 causing compression of the oesophagus. Following a neurosurgical consultation, a radical gross resection of the tumour was carried out from an anterior approach, with no neurological complications. A histological examination of the tumour confirmed the initial diagnosis and a follow-up MRI scan demonstrated complete resection.Conclusion: This case of successful treatment of a large schwannoma at the C6-C7-Th1 level highlights the importance of both MR imaging and biopsy in pre-operative planning. An anterior approach, routinely employed in cervical spine surgery, made it possible to perform a radical resection without neurological complications or the need to stabilise the cervical spine, which expedited the patient’s return to full fitness.Keywords: schwannoma, dysphagia, cervical spine, anterior approach
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spelling doaj-art-7daf6988c98845deb800d01f0916d3272025-08-20T03:32:36ZengDove Medical PressInternational Medical Case Reports Journal1179-142X2025-06-01Volume 18Issue 1735739104082Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case ReportJoniec A0Mikolajczyk J1Godlewski B2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery WardDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery WardDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology with Spinal Surgery WardAleksander Joniec, Jedrzej Mikolajczyk, Bartosz Godlewski Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Raphael Hospital, Cracow, PolandCorrespondence: Aleksander Joniec, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, with Spinal Surgery Ward, Scanmed – St. Raphael Hospital, ul. Adama Bochenka 12, Cracow, 30-693, Poland, Email Aleksander.Joniec@gmail.comIntroduction: Schwannomas are rare benign tumours of Schwann cell origin that rarely undergo malignant transformation and are most often (25– 45%) found in the head and neck region. We present a case of a large schwannoma arising directly from the anterior aspect of the cervical spine (C6-C7-Th1) that caused considerable oesophageal displacement and compression, manifesting as dysphagia.Case Report: A 52-year-old male patient sought medical advice on account of intermittent dysphagia and a sense of pressure in the neck, in the absence of pain or neurological deficits. A magnetic resonance (MRI) scan and a subsequent open/surgical biopsy revealed a large schwannoma on the anterior aspect of the spine at C6-C7-Th1 causing compression of the oesophagus. Following a neurosurgical consultation, a radical gross resection of the tumour was carried out from an anterior approach, with no neurological complications. A histological examination of the tumour confirmed the initial diagnosis and a follow-up MRI scan demonstrated complete resection.Conclusion: This case of successful treatment of a large schwannoma at the C6-C7-Th1 level highlights the importance of both MR imaging and biopsy in pre-operative planning. An anterior approach, routinely employed in cervical spine surgery, made it possible to perform a radical resection without neurological complications or the need to stabilise the cervical spine, which expedited the patient’s return to full fitness.Keywords: schwannoma, dysphagia, cervical spine, anterior approachhttps://www.dovepress.com/large-anterior-cervical-spine-schwannoma-causing-dysphagia-case-report-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IMCRJSchwannomaDysphagiaCervical SpineAnterior Approach
spellingShingle Joniec A
Mikolajczyk J
Godlewski B
Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
International Medical Case Reports Journal
Schwannoma
Dysphagia
Cervical Spine
Anterior Approach
title Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
title_full Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
title_fullStr Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
title_short Large Anterior Cervical Spine Schwannoma Causing Dysphagia: Case Report
title_sort large anterior cervical spine schwannoma causing dysphagia case report
topic Schwannoma
Dysphagia
Cervical Spine
Anterior Approach
url https://www.dovepress.com/large-anterior-cervical-spine-schwannoma-causing-dysphagia-case-report-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IMCRJ
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