Laparoscopic Central Gastrectomy for a Gastric Schwannoma: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Schwannomas are tumors originating from any peripheral nerve that rarely arise in the stomach. Presentation of Case: A 77-year-old woman with nonspecific epigastric pain. EGD reveals a submucosal bulge on the anterior wall of the gastric body. EUS showed a heterogeneous mass compatible with GIST. We performed a laparoscopic central gastrectomy because a wedge resection wasn’t possible for the tumor localization. Biopsy reveals it was a Schwannoma. Discussion: Gastric Schwannomas are atypical mesenchymal gastric tumors that usually have non-specific symptoms. Preoperative workup is made by EGD, EUS and CT but, commonly those methods couldn’t do the differential diagnosis with GIST. Surgery is the treatment. Because it is not necessary to perform a lymphadenectomy, the type of gastrectomy could be choosing within total, distal, wedge or atypical resection, depending tumor size and location. There are not publications about central gastrectomy for GS. Therefore, we decided to present this patient with a CG for GS, that showed good outcomes. Conclusion: Central gastrectomy is an available option for Gastric Schwannomas when lateral or wedge resection couldn’t be performed.