Cranial and extracranial presentations of schwannoma: Original study

Abstract

Introduction: Schwannoma is a benign tumor that originates from the Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves. Schwannomas are usually a solitary, slow growing benign neoplasm, and well-encapsulated. The present study was carried out to know the cranial and extracranial presentations of schwannoma at various locations in the body. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective study carried out for a period of 2 years, on patients who underwent excision of the tumor at different locations, which were diagnosed as schwannoma on microscopy. Cases were analyzed in detail regarding clinical history and other findings. Results: A total of 28 cases were diagnosed as schwannoma, among them 20 cases were located at cerebellopontine angle. Male:female ratio was 1:1.8. Youngest age group was 28 and eldest was 70 years in our study and the most common age group affected was between 30 and 40 years. Conclusion: Schwannoma should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis for swelling over the body as schwannoma can present extracranially also. Classical schwannoma was the most common and plexiform schwannoma was the least common variant in our study.