[Early diagnosis of spinal cord schwannoma: the significance of the pain syndrome].

In this study we present 76 cases of spinal cord schwannoma, treated in the Clinic of Neurosurgery Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. The analysis of early clinical symptoms in diagnosis of schwannoma and the value of the pain syndrome as the first sign in manifestation of illness is emphasized. The results of operated patients in early stage are presented as well. The first symptom of schwannoma is pain; in 81.6 percent of cases it is radicular and in 11.8 percent--local. Early stage (radiculopathy) we determined to 19.7 percent of patients. Majority (95.8 percent) of operated patients in early stage improved and recovered. Neurologists and doctors of general practice must pay great attention to complaints of patients and course of illness when there are no results after 2 months of conservative treatment, they must sent the patient to neurosurgeon.