Benign retroperitoneal neurilemmoma--a case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Retroperitoneal tumors are uncommon, with neurilemmomas representing a rare subtype.
• Benign retroperitoneal neurilemmomas typically present as asymptomatic abdominal masses, often discovered during routine examinations.

Observation:

• A case of a very large, benign retroperitoneal neurilemmoma is presented.
• The tumor caused significant displacement of the inferior vena cava without apparent clinical abnormalities.
• Imaging studies (ultrasound and CT) demonstrated a predominantly cystic nature but could not definitively diagnose the tumor type.

Findings:

• Pre-operative diagnosis of retroperitoneal neurilemmomas is challenging.
• Despite significant anatomical distortion, the tumor was benign and asymptomatic.
• Malignancy and recurrence of these tumors are exceptionally rare following surgical excision.

Implications:

• This case underscores the diagnostic difficulties associated with retroperitoneal neurilemmomas.
• Early detection, even in asymptomatic individuals, is crucial for management.
• The benign nature and low recurrence rate support surgical excision as an effective treatment.