Peripheral nerve schwannoma - Our Experience

Abstract

Schwannomas (also known as neurilemmomas) are benign tumors of the neural sheaths of peripheral nerves. The presentation of schwannoma is slow growing, well circumscribed, eccentric and painless mass which may or may not be tender. Fifteen cases of schwannoma involving the various nerves in the extremities were operated at Mahatma Gandhi hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan from January 2022. Out of the fifteen cases operated for schwannoma twelve were male and three were female. These cases were in the age group from 19 years to 61 years, twelve cases involved the upper limb, two cases affected the lower limb and one case involved the brachial plexus. Seven patients came with complain of paresthesia affecting the limb. Preoperative evaluation with high resolution USG and MRI was done. Nerve preserving enucleation was done in all  the cases except two cases, in one case neurolysis was required and in other case, part of the involved nerve was excised followed by nerve graft. Following nerve grafting there was a temporary finger-drop, which recovered after surgical intervention. Complete histopathological examination was performed in all the cases suggestive of schwannoma. None of the patients had any other local or regional complications in a follow up period of 22 months.