Schwannomatous components in a recurrent lipomyelocele: Report of a rare case
A 7-year-old male child presented with low back pain and difficulty in walking for last 6 months in 2003. The child had malaise, but without any neurologic deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a lipomatous tumor at L4–L5 and L5–S1 intervertebral disc. The patient was operated under general anesthesia and the specimen was sent for histopathologic examination. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen confirmed a diagnosis of lipomyelocele.\nThe patient was followed up subsequently. At first, the patient was followed up at 3 months interval for 2 years and then at 6 months interval. During the follow-up period, in the year 2011, after 8 years of first operation, the patient again complained of low back pain and difficulty in walking. MRI examination revealed a lipomatous tumor at the previous location []. Mild bulge of L4–L5 and L5–L5–S1 intervertebral disc was seen causing slight pressure on thecal sac and existing perineural fat planes. Evidence of laminectomy was seen involving sacral segment as a sign of previous operation. The patient was operated again under general anesthesia and the resected specimen was sent for histopathologic examination. Microscopic examination revealed admixture of neural elements of spinal cord and fatty areas []. Focal area was showing features of schwannoma with hypocellular and hypercellular areas and Verocay bodies []. Thus, a histologic diagnosis of lipomyelocele with schwannomatous component was made.\nThe patient was on follow-up for 1 year. During this period, he was symptom free and no recurrence occurred.