Pancreatic schwannoma: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a well-defined, benign tumor, which arises from neural crest cells and surrounds the nerve sheath. It is rare neoplasm that is typically found in the extremities, such as the thorax, head, neck, pelvis and rectum. Schwannoma localized to the pancreas is particularly rare and only a limited number of cases have been reported in the literature to date. The present study reports the case of a 30-year-old male with pancreatic schwannoma presenting with weight loss and abdominal pain. Pancreatic schwannoma was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography-guided biopsy, which was followed by a duodenopancreatectomy. Although pancreatic schwannomas are rare, they must be considered during the differential diagnoses of cystic pancreatic masses.

Keywords: cystic mass; magnetic resonance imaging; neurilemmoma; pancreas; schwannoma.

Figure 1

Axial T2-weighted fat saturation sequences show a marked hyperintense pancreatic head mass that abuts the hepatic artery.

Figure 2

Coronal T2-weighted fat-suppressed magnetic resonance image shows a marked hyperintense pancreatic head mass.

Figure 3

Axial gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted fat-suppressed magnetic resonance image shows significant enhancement of the mass at the pancreas head and uncinate process.

Figure 4

Coronal gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted fat-suppressed magnetic resonance image shows significant enhancement of the mass at the pancreas head and uncinate process.