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. 2021 Apr;94(2):191-196.
doi: 10.15386/mpr-1708. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

A clinicopathological study of peripheral schwannomas

Ankur Majumder  1 , Arvind Ahuja  1 , D S Chauhan  1 , Purnima Paliwal  1 , Minakshi Bhardwaj  1
Affiliations

A clinicopathological study of peripheral schwannomas

Ankur Majumder et al. Med Pharm Rep. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Aim and objective: Schwannomas are benign neoplasms of neural origin with sporadic or syndromic occurence. They are commonly seen in cranial nerves. Peripheral schwannomas occur rarely and may have unique presentations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinico-pathological characteristics of peripheral schwannomas.

Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study of peripheral schwannomas excluding head neck region was conducted. The study group consisted of 18 cases which were recorded over a period of seven years. The corresponding data were collected from the archives of the Department of Pathology.

Results: Male to female ratio was 1:1. The average age of the cases was 47 years. The most common site was the upper limbs (55.55%) followed by lower limbs, chest and penis. The lesions mostly presented as painless swellings (62%). Histopathological examination revealed classic features of schwannoma. Secondary changes included cystic degeneration, foam cells, epitheloid cells, hyalinization, microcystic change and collection of plasma cells. All cases were confirmed by positive S100 staining.

Conclusion: Peripheral schwannomas may be missed due to its rarity and atypical presentations. Both clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this common entity at unusual sites for the proper management of the patients. Surgery is usually the treatment of choice.

Keywords: histopathology; nerve sheath tumour; peripheral schwannoma; secondary changes; upper limb.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Various histological features of schwannoma. a. Photomicrograph showing clear cell areas (arrow): H&E (400x); b. Photomicrograph showing an ulceration (arrow) of the epidermis along with underlying schwannoma. Encapsulation is absent: H&E (100x); c. Photomicrograph showing extensive cystic degeneration. Cysts are lined by flattened cells: H&E (100x); d. Photomicrograph showing foam cell collection (arrow) within the schwannoma. Surrounding areas show some inflammatory cells: H&E (400x).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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