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Presacral schwannoma with purely cystic form
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan. aogose@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Study Design:
Case report.
Objective:
To point out that presacral schwannoma can display markedly cystic degeneration.
Summary Of Background Data:
Benign schwannoma sometimes displays degenerative changes, such as cyst formation, calcification, hemorrhage, and hyalinization. Usually these degenerations are partially seen in the tumors.
Methods:
Medical history, physical findings, imaging features, and histologic findings were reviewed in a case with a large presacral schwannoma.
Results:
A 62-year-old woman presented with an 18-month history of right sciatic pain. Magnetic resonance images detected a large cystic, presacral tumor. Initially the tumor was misdiagnosed as a cystic ovarian tumor. Preoperative diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of cystic schwannoma. Intralesional curettage achieved good pain relief.
Conclusions:
This tumor was unusual in its totally cystic appearance and resemblance to a cystic ovarian tumor or anterior sacral meningocele. Preoperative diagnosis is important to prevent major neurologic deficit at surgery.