Minimally invasive resection of an extrapelvic sciatic schwannoma

Schwannomas associated with the sciatic nerve are relatively rare. Surgical excision of symptomatic sciatic schwannomas traditionally involves a posterior sciatic nerve approach with a large, open exposure and transection of the gluteal muscles. The authors provide a technical report of a minimally invasive approach for the resection of an extrapelvic schwannoma arising from the sciatic nerve. The patient was discharged to home on the same day of surgery and his symptoms of severe sciatica immediately and dramatically improved. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.