Rare Repeat: A Case Report and Literature Review of Recurrent Intrathoracic Schwannomas

A schwannoma is a benign peripheral nerve tumor often located in the head and neck, posterior mediastinum, and, less frequently, in the chest wall. The recurrence of schwannoma at the same anatomical site after complete surgical resection is rare. This study discusses the case of a 60-year-old man with a recurring intercostal nerve schwannoma, which appeared eleven years after initial surgical resection in the same area of the chest wall. A second intrathoracic surgery was performed to remove a 6.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm partially encapsulated mass. The tumor was completely excised through a thoracotomy approach and revealed to be a schwannoma.