Radical Wide Excision Research Articles

Neurogenic Tumors of the Brachial Plexus

Two cases of solitary neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus unassociated with von Recklinghausen's disease are presented. One patient had a malignant schwannoma. The lesion of the other patient was benign and was diagnosed pathologically as a plexiform neurofibroma. These uncommon neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus unassociated with von Recklinghausen's disease pose diagnostic and surgical problems. The initial clinical presentation is usually that of a painless supraclavicular mass. At the time of surgical exploration, the exact site or nerve of origin cannot always be identified. If motor loss is caused by such a tumor of the brachial plexus, it usually indicates a malignant lesion and a poor prognosis. Although wide radical excision of a malignant neurogenic tumor is indicated surgically, one of our patients had an early malignant recurrence that necessitated immediate amputation.