Objective: Surgical exposure of peripheral lumbar schwannomas often requires extensive muscle mobilization which results in significant postoperative pain. We describe an alternative minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of such lesions.
Methods: We report the case of a patient with an extradural intraradicular schwannoma of the L4 root that was treated with a minimally invasive transmuscular approach by using tubular retractors.
Results: Muscle trauma and intraoperative blood loss were negligible. The postoperative course was uneventfull. There was no additional morbidity associated with the approach. The patient was discharged 72 h after the procedure.
Conclusions: In selected cases extradural intraradicular lumbar schwannomas can be treated adequately with a minimally invasive transmuscular approach.