Spinal gangliocytoma of lower lumbar nerve root: a report of 3 cases / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Three cases of lower lumbar nerve root gangliomas with spinal instability or lumbar disc herniation are reported. The first patient was treated for lumbosacral pain and discomfort for more than 10 days. Preoperative diagnosis was L 5S 1 intervertebral instability, L 5 bilateral spondylolysis, and L 5S 1 left intervertebral foraminal space occupying lesions to be investigated, the tumor was removed intraoperatively and sent to pathology. Meanwhile, L 5S 1 posterior interbody bone graft fusion and internal fixation were performed. The second patient presented for 1 month due to left lumbar and leg pain and discomfort. Preoperative diagnosis was L 4-5 intervertebral instability and L 4-5 intervertebral disc herniation. Intraoperative exploration revealed a nerve root mass on the left side of L 5, which was surgically removed and sent to pathology. Meanwhile, posterior decompression of L 4 and L 5 intervertebral bone grafting and internal fixation were performed. The third patient presented for 4 days with right lumbar and leg pain and discomfort. Preoperative diagnosis was L 3-4, L 4-5 and L 5S 1 intervertebral disc herniation. Intraoperative exploration found a right nerve root mass of S 1, which showed invasive growth and was closely surrounded by nerve fibers. Partial resection of the mass was sent to pathology, and posterior decompression and internal fixation of L 4-5 and L 5S 1 bone grafting and fusion were performed at the same time. All 3 patients were confirmed to be ganglion neuroma by postoperative pathological examination. Three patients recovered well after surgery. Spinal ganglion cell tumor is mainly originated from primitive neural crest cell migration differentiation of sympathetic ganglion cells, and can also be derived from the sympathetic nerve and peripheral nerves. It is seen more at retroperitoneal and mediastinal, lumbosacral nerve root ganglion cells tumor is rare. Clinically, it is very close to intervertebral disc herniation and difficult to distinguish, often found during operations and less can be clearly diagnosed before operation. Surgical resection is the main treatment for ganglion cell neuroma.