Neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus: report of two cases

Two cases of solitary neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus unassociated with von Recklinghausen's disease are presented. One patient had a malignant schwannoma. The lesion of the other patient was benign and was diagnosed pathologically as a plexiform neurofibroma. These uncommon neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus unassociated with von Recklinghausen's disease pose diagnostic and surgical problems. The initial clinical presentation is usually that of a painless supraclavicular mass. At the time of surgical exploration, the exact site or nerve of origin cannot always be identified. If motor loss is caused by such a tumor of the brachial plexus, it usually indicates a malignant lesion and a poor prognosis. Although wide radical excision of a malignant neurogenic tumor is indicated surgically, one of our patients had an early malignant recurrence that necessitated immediate amputation.