Spinal schwannoma presenting with intraspinal hematoma: a case report and review of the literature

Spinal schwannomas are benign tumors that rarely cause bleeding in the spinal canal. This bleeding can lead to severe spinal cord compression. The reasons behind this bleeding are not well understood. This paper presents the case of a 53-year-old woman who experienced sudden, severe pain in her lower limbs due to a bleeding schwannoma. The tumor was surgically removed, and the source of bleeding was found to be related to nerve root damage and tumor rupture. The study suggests that nerve root injury, torsion, venous obstruction, and tumor rupture are key factors contributing to bleeding in spinal schwannomas. Early diagnosis and surgery are crucial for effective treatment.

• 1
  The patient presented with a T12 schwannoma accompanied by an intratumoral hematoma, experiencing sudden and unbearable pain in the lower limbs.
• 2
  Surgical findings revealed a spinal nerve root fracture, intratumoral congestion, tumor capsule rupture, and bleeding, all contributing to the intraspinal hematoma.
• 3
  Pathological analysis of the resected tumor confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma, with evidence of dilated blood vessels and intravascular red blood cells but no necrotic tissue.