Spinal schwannomas: a review of 42 cases.

<P>In this study, 42 cases of spinal schwannomas are reviewed. We analyzed the therapeutic results of patients with spinal schwannomas in order to investigate the factors which affect the clinical outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment could help procure a good result for the patient. The delay in diagnosis and the subsequent duration of symptoms was significantly longer in cases of lumbar lesions compared to cervical and thoracic lesions. Tumor recurrence was rare, but in some cases where complete resection was not possible, close follow-up of the patients postoperatively with MRI was indicated.</P>