Orbital schwannomas: report of nine cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

The authors report 9 cases of orbital schwannoma out of a total of 148 orbital tumors operated. The computed tomography (CT) scan is considered superior to other methods used in the radiological work-up of endoorbital tumors because, in addition to being noninvasive, it gives direct visualization of the lesion and more precise localization both with respect to the muscular cone and tridimensionally. Unfortunately, preoperative diagnosis is not always possible solely on the basis of the CT scan because the enhancement of the tumor is not constant, thus making differential diagnosis with meningioma and cavernous angioma problematic. In addition, CT enables the surgeon to choose the best route for tumor removal. Operative results are good and are influenced by the use of microsurgical techniques.