Frontal intraparenchymal schwannoma: an unusual presentation

A 13-year-old male with an 11-year history of a seizure disorder presented with recent onset raised intracranial pressure symptoms and no obvious phakomatosis. CT revealed a heterogeneous, frontal, intra-axial, densely enhancing, solid lesion with intense perilesional oedema and mass effect. Total microsurgical excision resulted in cure. Histopathological examination showed characteristic Antoni A and B areas and occasional Verocay bodies consistent with the diagnosis of an intraparenchymal schwannoma.

The authors present a very rare, entirely solid manifestation of this highly uncommon lesion seen mostly in young adults and children with symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure and associated seizure disorders. The possible developmental origins are discussed.