English

Abstract

Schwannomas are rare benign tumours arising from neuroectodermal Schwann cells. They can arise from cranial, intraspinal, peripheral and autonomic nerve sheaths. Schwannomas represent 1 - 8 % of head and neck tumours. They constitute 25 – 40 % of extracranial tumours in head and neck region.1 Among the schwannomas arising in head and neck region those arising intraorbitally are very rare. The most common benign intra orbital tumours are haemangiomas. They can arise as localised forms or in association with Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1). In patients with neurofibromatosis-type 1 or in patients with family history of NF, the risk of developing orbital schwannoma is 1.5 %. Schwannomas constitute 1 - 6.5 % of intra orbital tumours.2-6 Of these tumours those undergoing cystic changes are still rare. The most common cystic lesions in the orbit are dermoid cysts or mucoceles.