Schwannomas of the upper extremity: Diagnosis and treatment (original) (raw)

Schwannomas of the upper extremity: analysis of 34 cases

Acta Neurochirurgica, 2014

Background Schwannomas are the most common benign tumours developing in peripheral nerves. They usually present as a slow-growing mass, sometimes associated with pain and paraesthesia. The aim of this study is to define the correct preoperative diagnosis, to review the surgical treatment employed and to evaluate short-and long-term neurological deficits. Methods Thirty-four patients affected by schwannoma in the upper limbs were treated in the period 1995-2011. In 15 patients the tumour was located on the ulnar nerve, in 8 on the median nerve, in 2 on the radial nerve, in 1 on the anterior interosseous nerve, in 1 on the muscle-cutaneous nerve, and in the remaining 7 on the digital nerves. All patients were surgically treated using a microsurgical approach. Results The enucleation of the mass was possible without fascicle lesion in 12 cases. In 22 cases resection of the indissociable fascicles was performed. Postoperative paraesthesia was present in 28 out of 34 treated patients; this clinical sign regressed in a mean period of 12 months in 27 patients. Conclusions When approaching a palpable mass in the upper limbs, the possibility of a peripheral nerve tumour should always be considered. It is important to look for typical signs of schwannomas, such as a positive Tinel sign and peripheral paraesthesia. Imaging assessment with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography enables the determination of where the tumour takes its origin and from which nerve. Microsurgical techniques and know-how are recommended in approaching the resection in order to respect as many nerve fibres as possible.

Clinical characteristics and management experience of schwannoma in extremities: Lessons learned from a 10-year retrospective study

Frontiers in Neurology, 2022

Introduction: Schwannomas are the most common neoplastic lesions of the peripheral nerves when growing on the extremities, they usually have adverse e ects on patients due to the exposed and functional nature of the region. Methods: In the present single-center retrospective study, we included all patients with pathologically confirmed schwannoma located in extremities between and totaling patients. Data on gender, age, duration history, clinical presentation, occurrence region, nerve a liation, imaging data, modus operation, mass volume, immunohistochemistry, postoperative neurological function, and recurrence were collected. Frontiers in Neurology frontiersin.org Zhou et al.. /fneur.. determining the nature of the mass, and S , Ki , and β-Catenin are sensitive to it. Surgical resection can achieve satisfying functional results and a low risk of nerve injury.

Clinical Study Schwannoma in the Upper Limbs

2020

Schwannomas are the commonest tumours of peripheral nerves. Despite the classical description that schwannomas are well encapsulated and can be completely enucleated during excision, a portion of them have fascicular involvement and could not be completely shelled out. A retrospective review for 8 patients was carried out over 10 years. 75% of schwannoma occurred over the distal region of upper limb (at elbow or distal to it). It occurs more in the mixed nerve instead of pure sensory or motor nerve. 50% of patients had mixed nerve involvement. Fascicular involvement was very common in schwannoma (75% of patients). Removal of the tumour with fascicles can cause functional deficit. At present, there is no method (including preoperative MRI) which can predict the occurrence of fascicular involvement; the authors therefore proposed a new system to stratify patients who may benefit from interfascicular nerve grafts. In this group of patients, the authors strongly recommend that the possi...

Schwannoma in the Upper Limbs

BioMed Research International, 2013

Schwannomas are the commonest tumours of peripheral nerves. Despite the classical description that schwannomas are well encapsulated and can be completely enucleated during excision, a portion of them have fascicular involvement and could not be completely shelled out. A retrospective review for 8 patients was carried out over 10 years. 75% of schwannoma occurred over the distal region of upper limb (at elbow or distal to it). It occurs more in the mixed nerve instead of pure sensory or motor nerve. 50% of patients had mixed nerve involvement. Fascicular involvement was very common in schwannoma (75% of patients). Removal of the tumour with fascicles can cause functional deficit. At present, there is no method (including preoperative MRI) which can predict the occurrence of fascicular involvement; the authors therefore proposed a new system to stratify patients who may benefit from interfascicular nerve grafts. In this group of patients, the authors strongly recommend that the possibility and option of nerve graft should be discussed with patients prior to schwannoma excision, so that nerve grafting could be directly proceeded with patient consent in case there is fascicular involvement of tumour found intraoperatively.

Results of surgical treatment of schwannomas arising from extremities

BioMed research international, 2015

Schwannomas are benign neoplasms derived from Schwann cells. In this work, we present our experience in operative management of schwannomas and analyse results of treatment. Clinical material consisted of 34 patients, in whom 44 schwannomas located in extremities were excised between 1985 and 2013. Thirty-five tumours originated from major peripheral nerves and 9 from small nerve branches. Postoperatively, in the first group of tumours, pain resolved in 100%, paresthesias in 83.3%, and Hoffmann-Tinel sign in 91.6% of the patients. Improvement in motor function was noted in 28.5% of the cases, in sensory function: complete in 70%, and partial in 15%. The most frequently affected major peripheral nerves were the ulnar (11 tumours) and median (5 tumours) nerves. Schwannomas originating from small nerve branches were removed without identification of the site of origin. After their resection, definitive healing was achieved. Conclusions. (1) Schwannomas located in extremities arise pred...

Peripheral Nerve Schwannoma: A Review of Varying Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings

The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

A schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a benign, isolated, noninvasive, and encapsulated tumor originating from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The incidence of a schwannoma occurring in the foot and ankle is rare, with prevalence rate of 1% to 10%. Schwannomas have no sex predilection, and they commonly occur in patients in their fourth decade. Malignant transformation of benign schwannoma is unusual; however, it is important to note that malignant variants of schwannomas do exist and account for about 5% to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. We present 3 cases of benign schwannoma in the lower extremity. All 3 patients presented with varying clinical symptoms, including pain, paresthesia, weakness, and a palpable mass. A schwannoma was eventually diagnosed in all 3 patients. We discuss and review the known entities of peripheral nerve schwannoma and describe the clinical and imaging findings and therapeutic strategies for treating and diagnosing peripheral nerve schwannoma.

Schwannoma of the Median Nerve at Mid Forearm Level

Journal of orthopaedic case reports

Schwannomas are also known as neurilemmoma that usually originate from Schwann cells located in the peripheral nerve sheaths. It usually occurs in the age group of 20 to 70 years. These are the commonest tumors of the peripheral nerves, 5% of which occur in the adults and 19% of the tumors occur in upper extremities. Schwannomas are generally presented as an asymptomatic mass. Discomfort may be the only presenting complaint of the patient. Paresthesia may be elicited on tapping the swelling. Magnetic resonanceimaging, and ultrasound are helpful in the diagnosis. Surgical removal is usually curative. A 28-year-old male came to our hospital for a lump located at the volar side of the right mid forearm for 10 years with discomfort and paresthesia in median nerve distribution of hand which appeared in last two years. Total excision was performed for the lesion. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed typical features of schwannoma. At two months follow-up, the patient was sym...

A clinicopathological study of peripheral schwannomas

Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 2021

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, hya...

Case Report of Schwannomas: Benign Tumour of the Peripheral Nerve Sheath

EMJ Neurology, 2020

Schwannomas, also known as neurilemmomas, are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from the Schwann cells surrounding the nerve. Incidence of peripheral nerve sheath benign tumours occurring in the lower extremities is rare (1–10%). The authors present two cases with solitary schwannomas from the peripheral nerves. In one case, the schwannoma arose from the sural nerve and in the other, from the tibial nerve. They were successfully surgically removed with the aid of a surgical microscope, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications.