Case report: mesenteric schwannoma

Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumors that arise from Schwann cells that line the sheaths of peripheral nerves. Schwannomas are commonly located in the soft tissues of the head and neck, extremities, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and pelvis, but they are very rare in the mesentery. A 56-y-old man was admitted to the emergency service with nausea, vomiting, acute abdominal pain, and constipation. He reported weight loss and an intra-abdominal mass. On physical examination, the abdomen was distended, and a mass that was approximately 15 cm in diameter was palpated at the middle abdomen. Generalized abdominal tenderness and muscle spasm were noted. Air-fluid levels were seen on plain radiographs. Ultrasonography identified an intra-abdominal mass with intra-abdominal hemorrhage or perforation. Clinical signs and laboratory findings suggested an intra-abdominal mass, mechanical bowel obstruction, and an acute abdomen. The patient underwent surgery. The mass was completely excised and included a 4-cm-long intestinal segment that was densely adherent to the mass. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination revealed a mesenteric schwannoma. The patient was well 11 mo after surgery. Although schwannomas are very rare and generally asymptomatic, these tumors can become quite large and may cause acute abdominal problems such as mechanical bowel obstruction.