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Case Reports
. 2009 Jan-Mar;13(1):116-9.

Adrenal schwannoma

Eugen Târcoveanu  1 , Gabriel Dimofte, Costel Bradea, Radu Moldovanu, Alin Vasilescu, Raluca Anton, Dan Ferariu
Affiliations
Case Reports

Adrenal schwannoma

Eugen Târcoveanu et al. JSLS. 2009 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Background: Adrenal schwannomas are very rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. We report the case of a left adrenal schwannoma incidentally discovered in a 55-year-old man during a postoperative checkup for a cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Methods: The biological evaluation was unremarkable, and the radiological examination revealed the adrenal mass that was first considered a metastatic lesion. Adrenalectomy was performed by the laparoscopic approach.

Results: The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination established the correct diagnosis of schwannoma, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemical staining.

Conclusions: A nonsecreting adrenal mass can be easily misjudged, especially in the context of a recently operated on malignancy. Unilateral adrenal metastasis needs pathological confirmation, as it can dramatically affect prognosis. Unusual tumors of the adrenal gland may be found incidentally, and a malignant context will generate difficulties in establishing the right management. Complete laparoscopic excision is the treatment of choice whenever feasible and will also clarify pathology.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Ultrasound examination: hypoechoic mass 43/40 mm in the left adrenal gland.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(A) Histopathological examination – hematoxilin eosine, 4×. Tumor mass consists of conjunctive proliferation, with fascicular architecture and isolated nuclear palisades. (B) Immunohistochemistry – KI67 staining, 20×. Rare positive cells (<1%). (C) Immunohistochemistry – S100 staining, 4×. Tumor cells are positive to this marker. (D) Immunohistochemistry – SMA staining, 4×. Tumor cells are negative, but blood vessels are diffusely positive.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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