• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1241-1244
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• 2001

The authors report a very rare case of tuberculous spondylitis combined with a schwannoma of spinal cord. A 39- year-old man was admitted because of paraparesis(G1/G2). MRI showed severe cord compression at two different levels. One was by the bulged soft tissue and subligamentous abscess extending from T7 to T9 and the other was by an intradural extramedullary cord tumor at the level of T1-2. At first operation, T8 corpectomy and T7-9 plate fixation with autogenous iliac bone graft were performed. After then, Paraparesis was improved(G2/G3) postoperatively. The second operation underwent two weeks later. The tumor was totally removed and shortly after second operation, paraparesis was markedly improved(G3/G4). Histological diagnosis were tuberculous spondylitis and schwannoma, respectively. The authors reviewed this case where good surgical outcome was obtained by two stage operation.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2008

In an attempt to better define the cytologic characteristics of schwannomas, we have reviewed aspirates and corresponding histologic sections from 23 schwannomas. Of this number, the original cytologic diagnoses were: schwannoma in 14 cases (61%), benign soft tissue tumor in 2 cases (9%), and insufficient specimen in 7 cases (30%). The cytologic findings common to all cases of schwannoma included fragments of tightly cohesive fascicles with variable cellularity and corresponding Antoni type A area. The Antoni type B area, consisting of scattered spindle cells and some histiocytes and lymphocytes against a myxoid background, was seen in 14 cases. Fibrillary stroma was seen in 12 cases. The tumor cells had spindle- or ovalshaped nuclei, with pointed ends and indistinct cell borders. Nuclear palisading was seen in 10 cases, and distinctive Verocay bodies were seen in 5 cases. In ancient schwannomas, there were no Verocay bodies. Most schwannomas have distinct cytomorphologic features that allow correct diagnosis. The major problem with fine needle aspiration cytology of these tumors is the high frequency of poor cellularity, particularly in lesions with cystic degeneration. Of 7 cases with insufficient specimen, 4 showed marked cystic changes and 1 showed marked hyaline changes on histologic sections. In conclusion, we believe that if cytopathologist reminds the situation such as cystic degeneration or hyaline degeneration, the correct diagnosis of the schwannoma will be easily made.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.626-634
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• 2019

Objective : Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of the neurotrophic factor family and plays a vital role in the physiological processes of organisms, especially in the nervous system. Many recent studies have reported that NGF is also involved in the regulation of tumourigenesis by either promoting or suppressing tumor growth, which depends on the location and type of tumor. However, little is known regarding the effect of NGF on interspinal schwannoma (IS). In the present study, we aimed to explored whether mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF), which is widely used in the clinic, can influence the growth of interspinal schwannoma cells (ISCs) isolated from IS in vitro. Methods : ISCs were isolated, cultured and identified by S-100 with immunofluorescence analysis. S-100-positive cells were divided into five groups, and separately cultured with various concentrations of mNGF (0 [phosphate buffered saline, PBS], 40, 80, 160, and 320 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Western blot and quantantive real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied to detect tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor and p75 neurotrophin receptor ($p75^{NTR}$) in each group. Crystal violet staining was selected to assess the effect of mNGF (160 ng/mL) on ISCs growth. Results : ISCs growth was enhanced by mNGF in a dose-dependent manner. The result of crystal violet staining revealed that it was significantly strengthened the cells growth kinetics when cultured with 160 ng/mL mNGF compared to PBS group. Western blot and quantantive real time PCR discovered that TrkA receptor and mRNA expression were both up-regualated under the condition of mNGF, expecially in 160 ng/mL, while the exoression of $p75^{NTR}$ demonstrated no difference among groups. Conclusion : From these data, we conclude that exogenous mNGF can facilitate ISC growth by activating both TrkA receptor and $p75^{NTR}$. In addition, patients who are suffering from IS should not be administered mNGF in the clinic.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2023

Objective : The facial nerve trace on the ipsilateral side of the vestibular schwannoma was reconstructed by diffusion tensor imaging tractography to identify the adjacent relationship between the facial nerve and the tumor, and to improve the level of intraoperative facial nerve protection. Methods : The clinical data of 30 cases of unilateral vestibular schwannoma who underwent tumor resection via retrosigmoid approach were collected between January 2019 and December 2020. All cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination before operation. Diffusion tensor imaging and anatomical images were used to reconstruct the facial nerve track of the affected side, so as to predict the course of the nerve and its adjacent relationship with the tumor, to compare the actual trace of the facial nerve during operation, verify the degree of coincidence, and evaluate the nerve function (House-Brackmann grade) after surgery. Results : The facial nerve of 27 out of 30 cases could be displayed by diffusion tensor imaging tractography, and the tracking rate was 90% (27/30). The intraoperative locations of facial nerve shown in 25 cases were consistent with the preoperative reconstruction results. The coincidence rate was 92.6% (25/27). The facial nerves were located on the anterior middle part of the tumor in 14 cases, anterior upper part in eight cases, anterior lower part in seven cases, and superior polar in one case. Intraoperative facial nerve anatomy was preserved in 30 cases. Among the 30 patients, total resection was performed in 28 cases and subtotal resection in two cases. The facial nerve function was evaluated 2 weeks after operation, and the results showed grade I in 12 cases, grade II in 16 cases and grade III in two cases. Conclusion : Preoperative diffusion tensor imaging tractography can clearly show the trajectory and adjacent position of the facial nerve on the side of vestibular schwannoma, which is beneficial to accurately identify and effectively protect the facial nerve during the operation, and is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2007

Schwannoma is a benign well-encapsulated tumors arising from the sheath of Schwann cell of the peripheral motors, sensory, and cranial nerves, but not from the optic and olfactory nerves. Since it is relatively common in the head and neck region, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of head and neck tumor. However, reports of laryngeal involvement have rarely appeared in the literature. We have experienced a 50-year old woman and 39-year old woman with history of progressive voice change. We recognized a benign mass at the false cord area with the telelaryngoscope and CT. The tumors were successfully removed by transoral CO2 laser resection without tracheotomy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 1992

The incidence of malignant schwannoma in the head and neck is extremely rare. Most tumors appear as a rapidly expanding nonpainful mass and the symptoms are usually attributable to local expansion of the mass. About one half occurs in association with von Recklinghausen's disease. Wide surgical excision is generally recommended as a primary treatment. Recently, there has been a trend to include postoperative radiation therapy as a primary modality. Prognosis of head and neck malignant schwannoma has been reported as particularly poor, However, recent authors advocate that prolonged survival is possible after adequate therapy including postoperative radiation therapy. We present our experience with these tumors on very rare locations such as the ethmoid sinus and the larynx, with the review of literatures.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.444-450
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• 2005

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) activates many intracellular effector molecules, which subsequently influence the expression levels of many genes involved in cell growth, apoptosis and signal transduction, etc. In this study, the early response of gene expressions due to EGF treatment was monitored using oligonucleotide DNA microarrays in rat schwannoma cell lines. An immunoblotting experiment showed the successful activation of EGF receptors and an effector protein, STAT5, due to EGF treatment. The microarray study showed that 35 genes were significantly induced and 2 were repressed within 60 min after the treatment. The list of induced genes included early growth response 1, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, c-fos, interferon regulatory factor 1 and early growth response 2, etc. According to the microarray data, six of these were induced by more than 10-fold, and showed at least two different induction patterns, indicating complicated regulatory mechanisms in the EGF signal transduction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1051-1053
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• 1997

Malignant schwannoma is rare tumor which is derived from schwas cells or nerve sheath cells, and it is frequently associated with Von Rechlinghausen's disease. We experienced one case of malignant schwannoma on the right chest wall without Von Rechlinghausen's disease. Patient was 64-year-old man who presented painless palpable mass on the right lower -chest wall for about 2 months. On chest computed tomography, the mass which was 6$\times$6 cm in size and had central necrosis, involved 11th rib with destruction, invaded the diaphragm and displaced the kidney anteriorlly. He underwent on-bloc resection of the tumor and discharged without any problem after 20 days.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1238-1242
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• 2000

Spinal schwannomas are usually extramedullary intradural tumors and their intramedullary localizations are thought to be extremely rare. A 60-year-old woman complaining spastic quadriparesis, voiding difficulty and dyspnea was admitted. Her cervical MRI revealed an intramedullary mass in the cervicomedullary junction with multiple cyst which extended from lower cervical to C3 spinal cord. The mass showed a low signal on T1WI, high signal on T2WI with an wall enhancement. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and C1-2 laminectomy and the cystic tumor was totally removed through a midline myelotomy. The tumor was proved as an intramedullary schwannoma by pathologic examination. The Intramedullary presence of a tumor arising from the cells of the nerve sheath is unusual, because the central nervous system fibers do not contain the Schwann cell. There have been several hypotheses, but none has been accepted universally. This rare tumor is considered as a curable benign neoplasm, and an accurate intraoperative diagnosis and surgically total removal are essential.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.478-483
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• 2015

We report two rare cases of spinal intraosseous schwannoma (SIS) with sustained myelopathy symptoms and provide an updated review regarding SIS in the literature. A 71-year-old man experienced right lumbocrural pain and gait disturbance accompanied with paresthesia and right leg weakness. Imaging examinations revealed a mass with lesions in L4 vertebral body causing bone destruction and spinal cord compression. Complete resection of the well-demarcated tumor and posterior fusion were performed. A 54-year-old female reported bilateral gait disturbance, paresthesia, and numbness without weakness, and imaging revealed a posterior mass from T9 causing spinal cord compression and bone erosion. The tumor was completely separated from the spinal nerve root. The tumors from both patients were confirmed as schwannomas. Tumor recurrence was not observed at the 2-4 year follow-up. Although rare, SIS should be considered during differential diagnosis and can affect treatment planning. SIS symptoms vary depending on tumor location, and fusion is frequently necessary for spinal reconstruction after complete tumor resection.