Cystic Intracranial Schwannomas: A Review with a Case Report on Cystic Olfactory Groove Schwannoma

Abstract

Intracranial schwannomas are slow-growing benign nerve sheath tumors arising from the vestibular portion of the VIIIth cranial nerve and less commonly from Vth, VIIth, and lower cranial nerves. However, as optic nerve and olfactory nerve do not contain Schwann cell layer, occurrence of schwannoma is questionable in these cranial nerves. Schwannomas are usually large solid lesions, only relatively small percentage exhibit calcification, and cystic patterns with intracystic fluid levels. In this short illustration, we try to review the possible pathogenesis and management paradigm of these cystic intracranial schwannomas depending upon their location with a report of cystic olfactory groove schwannoma in a 35-year-old female patient.