Usually, nervous system structures are responsible for the work of all organ systems. They are divided into two types: central and peripheral. The first type includes the spinal and cerebral structures, and the second is the nerves.
The last type of tissue can be affected by cancer. Among such ailments, neurinoma of the spine occurs.
Disease Information
The disease in question is a benign tumor. It is formed in Schwann cell structures.
Neurinoma of the spine is a neoplasm in cell structures that covers the nerve canals. The tumor most often has the shape of a circle or capsule. More it occurs in the radicular part of the organ of hearing. Further it can develop in the front part. Very rarely, this disease affects the jaw and ocular nerves.
Neuroma is also called schwannoma. This ailment occurs in about 10% of cases of the total number of intracranial formations.
A neurinoma of the spine takesone fourth of the total number of tumors in this part of the body. The disease can develop on the sheath of absolutely any nerve.
Types of illness
Any schwannoma, including neuroma of the spine, is a benign formation. It grows in size very slowly. But in practice, there were cases when the disease became malignant, that is, it was transformed into a malignant tumor.
There are several main types of this disease:
- Schwannoma of the spine. Among the formations, this type is considered the most common. Neurinoma of the spine is a tumor on the spinal roots. Such formations can grow through the intervertebral foramen. This is usually characteristic of neurinoma of the cervical spine. Due to schwannomas, bone deformities are formed. This consequence of the disease can be detected after spondylographic diagnosis.
- Morton's neuroma. It is benign and appears on the sole of one of the feet. Usually formed between the 3rd and 4th toes.
- Schwannoma of the brain. Non-malignant formation grows very slowly. It is separated from other structures by a shell in the form of a capsule.
- Acoustic neuroma. It can be in both young and old people. Appears in only one ear and grows extremely slowly.
There are also other schwannomas, such as tumors of the optic, trigeminal, and peripheral nerves.
Causes of disease
Because of whatthis disease develops, they cannot say for sure until the end. Doctors usually say that any schwannoma, for example, neurinoma of the lumbar spine, is formed due to cell growth under the influence of gene mutations in the 22nd chromosome. The reasons for the latter, unfortunately, are also unknown.
But there are a number of factors that can affect the onset of the disease:
- prolonged exposure to reagents and chemicals;
- strong radiation exposure at a young age to a child;
- hereditary predisposition to disease;
- presence of benign lesions elsewhere;
- neurofibromatosis in a patient or someone from close relatives.
Heredity is considered one of the main causes of the formation of the disease.
Symptoms of spinal neuroma
There are no special signs that distinguish schwannoma from other tumors.
In spinal neuroma, the main symptoms are:
- spinal lesions in transverse view;
- pain syndrome;
- vegetative disorder.
In the case when the anterior nerves are affected, paresis of muscle tissues and paralysis begin, and in the case of the posterior nerves, there is a violation of sensitivity, a feeling of goosebumps appears.
At first, signs of neuroma of the spine appear and disappear, but as the tumor grows, the symptoms become constant and severe. Usually,the pain increases when the person lies down.
With neurinoma of the thoracic spine, discomfort is localized between the shoulder blades. With lumbar schwannoma, pain will be in the limbs and in the lumbar region.
Thus, if you experience these symptoms, you should contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Schwannoma and pregnancy
Usually, a disease is not a contraindication to the conception and bearing of a child. But there are cases when the tumor begins to grow rapidly in pregnant women.
Experts advise to remove the neuron spine. After the surgical intervention, planning a pregnancy is allowed in a year.
Schwannoma Diagnosis
To do this, the patient is prescribed procedures such as:
- Magnetic resonance imaging. This examination can visualize a neuroma as it forms at the very beginning.
- X-ray diagnostics. It detects bone changes that occur due to tumor growth.
- Computed tomography. This procedure is done using a special contrast agent. It is it that allows you to consider tumors of small sizes.
- Ultrasound diagnostics. It is one of the safe and informative methods. The procedure allows visualization of soft tissue changes in the tumor area.
- Biopsy study. In this case, a piece of a benign formation is taken in order toexamine it histologically.
- Audiometry. The procedure is used for acoustic neuroma.
- Comprehensive neurological examination. It allows you to identify a violation of the swallowing reflex, diplopia and paresis, sensory disorders.
Which of the diagnostic methods to choose for the patient is determined by the specialist.
Neurinoma of the spine: treatment
Therapeutic technique is chosen based on where the tumor is located.
In case of neuroma of the spine, surgery is required in the following cases when:
- there is an increase in symptoms or other signs occur;
- education is rapidly increasing;
- Tumor progresses after radiosurgery.
There are a number of contraindications in which this method of treatment cannot be carried out. So, in the presence of cardiovascular diseases, a serious condition of the patient, or when the patient's age exceeds 65 years, surgical intervention is not allowed.
The operation involves the removal of schwannoma by excision.
When the tumor is located on the spine, the process of surgical intervention takes place without difficulty. These formations have a dense capsule and do not touch the membrane of the brain.
In the case when the tumor fuses with nerve fibers, an operation is performed with its partial removal. Because of this, the patient may have a relapse. But such action prevents complications.
In some cases, treatment occurs with the help ofstereotaxic surgery. Here, a benign formation is irradiated, but the surrounding he althy tissues are not damaged. This method of treatment has the fewest side effects. But sometimes there is a relapse.
Surgery Consequences
The dangerous moment of the operation when removing the tumor is the possibility of nerve damage. If this still happens, then sensitivity and motor functions are disturbed.
With acoustic neuroma, there is a possibility of hearing loss. This is not due to surgical intervention, but against the background of the pressure of the formation on the surrounding structures.
Also, one of the common complications of the operation is a violation of the muscles that are responsible for movement.
Treatment with folk remedies
The use of such methods helps to reduce some of the signs of the disease. But it should be remembered that with the help of folk remedies it is impossible to cure a tumor or remove it in any way.
Neurinoma cannot resolve itself just because of the use of decoctions. Therefore, you should not delay visiting a doctor, because in this way you will only aggravate the situation. Serious consequences are also possible. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, go immediately to a specialist. It is he who will help to quickly prescribe treatment and get rid of this ailment.
