[Surgically treated chest wall schwannoma without entering the pleural space utilizing ultrasonography]

We report a case of surgically treated chest wall schwannoma without entering the pleural space utilizing ultrasonography. A 19-year-old woman was admitted for an abnormal shadow on a routine health checkup. Roentgenologic examination of the chest showed a 2 cm left chest wall mass. Chest computed tomography revealed a heterogeneous mass with obtuse angles characteristic of a pleural-based lesion. Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the right decubitous position. Chest wall ultrasonography defined a mass in the intercostal space. A 2.5 cm skin incision was made on the tumor. The tumor arising from the intercostal nerve was surgically removed without entering the pleural space. The pathological examination revealed a benign schwannoma. Postoperative course was uneventful and she discharged 2 days later. Six years later the patient is well without recurrence.