A three-year study of a case of neurilemmoma, a rather rare type of bone tumor, indicates the definite progress from both roentgenographic and clinical viewpoints, which has been made in this patient.
The neurological examination of the patient indicated, in all probability, that this was a lesion in the region of the cauda equina. This must be differentiated from lumbosacral lesions, sciatic nerve neuritis, multiple nerve-sheath lesions, and the possibility of a ruptured intervertebral disc. The roentgenographic appearance of the tumor in this vicinity, and its encroachment upon the sacral canal excluded, anatomically, lesions of the above group. The relief of pain, in all probability, indirectly helped the patient's gait and the reduction of pressure in the canal may have directly relieved symptoms.
That there was no intrinsic cauda equina tumor may be inferred from the negative spinal tap which gave no evidence of irritation.
The authors concur with De Santo and Burgess that this is a benign tumor, and that excision, followed by roentgenotherapy, is the treatment of choice.