Feasibility of Brachial Plexus Schwannoma Enucleation With Intraoperative Neuromonitoring

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of brachial plexus schwannoma enucleation under intraoperative neuromonitoring. Methods Five patients who were treated for brachial plexus schwannoma under intraoperative neuromonitoring from 2008 to 2018 were included in this retrospective review. Neuromonitoring was performed with a 100-μV event threshold of the neuromonitoring system (NIM-2 or 3) at the deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and brachioradialis muscles. Patient characteristics, tumor size and location, intraoperative neuromonitoring findings, and postoperative function were evaluated. Results The intraoperative neuromonitoring findings were in accordance with the preoperative assessment of the included nerve root. Three patients had no postoperative morbidity, one patient had temporary paresthesia of the forearm for 2 months, and one patient mild loss of grip strength for 1 month. Conclusion Intraoperative neuromonitoring of the arm and forearm muscles during enucleation of brachial plexus schwannoma promoted confident and successful surgery with minimal postoperative morbidity.

Keywords

• brachial plexus
• schwannoma
• neurilemmoma: enucleation
• neuromonitoring
• feasibility study