[Anterior skull-base schwannoma]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Schwannomas are nerve sheath tumors arising from Schwann cells, typically affecting cranial or peripheral nerves.
• Intracranial schwannomas commonly involve the eighth cranial nerve, especially in neurofibromatosis type 2.
• Anterior skull-base schwannomas are exceptionally rare, accounting for less than 1% of intracranial schwannomas, and often present in younger individuals.

Observation:

• A 13-year-old male presented with headache, papilledema, eye pain, and vision loss.
• Imaging revealed a solitary anterior skull-base tumor, distinct from neurofibromatosis.
• Surgical resection was performed, and histopathology confirmed a schwannoma.

Findings:

• The patient experienced a complete clinical recovery post-surgery with symptom resolution.
• A literature review identified 66 reported cases of anterior skull-base schwannomas.
• Epidemiological and clinical features of these rare tumors were analyzed, including comparison with olfactory schwannomas.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering schwannomas in the differential diagnosis of anterior skull-base tumors, even in young, non-syndromic patients.
• Complete resection offers a favorable prognosis for anterior skull-base schwannomas.
• Further research into the etiology and characteristics of these rare tumors is warranted.