[A case of benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis]

Schwannomas or neurilemmomas are uncommon tumors arising from schwann cells of neural sheath, which most frequently affect the extremities, trunk, head and neck area. Moreover, benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis is extremely rare. Approximately, 2 cases of benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis have been reported in the literatures. We report a case of benign schwannoma in the porta hepatis occurring in a 53-year-old woman who was asymptomatic and incidentally found to have a mass. Abdominal CT scan showed a 4.5 cm-sized low attenuating mass with septum-like enhancing solid portion at porta hepatis. Abdominal exploration revealed a yellowish, cystic and encapsulated mass attached to portal vein, common bile duct, liver and duodenal wall above the hepatoduodenal ligament. There has been no evidence of recurrence during 11 months of follow-up.