Does a Schwannoma Require Surgical Intervention? What Are the Potential Postoperative Complications?
Most neurinomas are single-occurrence ones. Neurinomas on the top of the head mainly occur on the auditory nerve, hypoglossal nerve, or facial nerve of the human body. They may also occur in the head and face areas. However, due to the slow growth of the tumor, the course of neurinoma is relatively long. After suffering from neurinoma, the most concerning issue for patients is the treatment method. Whether surgical treatment is necessary for neurinoma is a major concern for many people. What are the postoperative sequelae of neurinoma? Here are some answers:
1. Is surgical treatment necessary for neurinoma? Yes, surgical treatment is required for neurinoma, as there is a risk of malignancy. Therefore, patients are advised to actively cooperate with doctors for treatment. Treatment options include surgical treatment and drug therapy. Surgical treatment involves peeling the tumor from its capsule without removing adjacent normal tissues due to its intact capsule. Preventive anti-infective agents commonly used in general surgery are sulfonamides or drugs that mainly act on Gram-positive bacteria.
2. What are the postoperative sequelae of neurinoma? Neurinoma is a benign tumor that can cause different clinical symptoms depending on its location. Postoperative sequelae also vary according to the location of the tumor. Neurinomas growing in the spinal canal can compress nerve roots and cause neurological symptoms. Tumors growing in the cervical spine can cause numbness and weakness in the limbs, while those in the thoracic spine can cause numbness and weakness in the lower limbs. Tumors in the lumbosacral region can cause pain and numbness in the lower limbs. Most postoperative symptoms will improve, but some patients may experience gastrointestinal dysfunction, bowel and bladder dysfunction, etc. Early rehabilitation treatment can help restore function.
3. What are the common symptoms of neurinoma? Common symptoms of neurinoma include nodules, macules, papules, sensory disturbances, motor dysfunction, tenderness, facial muscle spasms, and hoarseness. They often occur on the limbs, especially the lower limbs. They can also be found on the head, neck, face, stomach, posterior abdominal cavity, and posterior mediastinum. They are not uncommon in the intracranial and spinal canal regions as well.
