Schwannoma of the fifth digit

Abstract

The authors have presented a rare case of benign solitary schwannoma of the fifth digit. A case study involving this digit has not been reported previously. The lesion was simple to excise and provided no postoperative complications. Schwannomas may produce pain, parasthesia, hypesthesia, and occasionally motor and sensory deficits. Because the lesion is a nerve sheath tumor, it usually can be separated from the nerve. Simple excision is recommended because the tumor rarely becomes malignant. The tumor should be diagnosed correctly in order to rule out neurofibromatosis-1, neurofibroma, or malignant schwannoma. This can be performed during biopsy by observing for the presence of Antoni type A or type B cells, and through other distinguishing characteristics, such as encapsulation, singularity of the tumor, and lack of skin pigmentation changes. Benign schwannomas rarely recur.