What are spinal schwannomas?

Spinal schwannomas are tumors that develop in the nerves of the spinal cord, according to Radiopaedia.org. They are benign, slow growing tumors most frequently seen in the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine.

Spinal schwannomas are the most common type of intradural extramedullary spinal tumors, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all cases, as noted by Radiopaedia.org. They develop from dorsal sensory roots and appear primarily as rounded masses, with larger schwannomas taking on sausage or dumbbell-like shapes. In most cases, spinal schwannomas are singular, but in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2, the risk of developing new schwannomas increases exponentially.