Benign Intradural and Paraspinal Nerve Sheath Tumors: Advanced Surgical Techniques

Abstract

Traditional surgical techniques for benign intradural and paraspinal nerve sheath tumors often consisted of open posterior approaches. However, these were limited by the morbidity of open surgery. In addition, iatrogenic instability is often required for total resection of larger or laterally located tumors, thus necessitating the use of additional hardware for spinal fusion. Advances in surgical techniques and technologies have allowed for a plethora of minimally invasive approaches throughout the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. These approaches and their particular applications for the resection of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors are described, with special attention to modern surgical strategies.

Keywords: Minimally invasive spine surgery; Neurofibroma; Peripheral nerve sheath tumor; Schwannoma.