Presentation
Six months history of left-sided corporeal weakness mainly of the upper limb.
Patient Data
The MRI sequences demonstrate an intradural extramedullary dumbbell mass at the C4-C5 level, extending through an enlarged left C4-C5 exit foramen. It is isointense to the spinal cord on T1WI, inhomogeneous high signal on T2WI with homogeneous enhancement following IV contrast. The adjacent segment of the spinal cord is compressed and displaced to the right with no signs of compressive myelopathy.
Case Discussion
MRI features are highly suggestive of a spinal nerve sheath tumors, most likely a schwannoma.
Spinal schwannoma and neurofibroma are often indistinguishable radiologically.