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Inflammatory pseudotumor of nerve
T L Weiland1, B W Scheithauer, M G Rock
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Inflammatory pseudotumors are rare, non-neoplastic lesions that can affect peripheral nerves, causing symptoms like sensorimotor deficits. These nerve tumors require careful differential diagnosis to distinguish them from other nerve sheath tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Peripheral nerve tumors can present as space-occupying lesions, necessitating accurate diagnosis.
- Inflammatory pseudotumors are uncommon, benign lesions characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis.
Observation:
- Two cases of peripheral nerve inflammatory pseudotumors are presented, one affecting the sciatic nerve and the other the radial nerve.
- Histological analysis revealed lymphocytic and plasmacellular inflammation, fibrosis, T- and B-lymphocytes, and multinucleate histiocytes within the epineurium.
- Both cases demonstrated nerve fascicle compression, leading to myelin loss and axonal injury.
Findings:
- The sciatic nerve lesion was a fusiform mass within the epineurium, causing sensorimotor deficits.
- The radial nerve lesion presented as focal enlargement due to an epineurial infiltrate.
- No specific etiology was identified for either inflammatory pseudotumor.
Implications:
- Inflammatory pseudotumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral nerve tumors, alongside neoplastic and other non-neoplastic conditions.
- Accurate histological examination is crucial for differentiating inflammatory pseudotumors from peripheral nerve sheath tumors and lymphomas.
- Understanding the inflammatory and fibrotic nature of these lesions aids in diagnosis and management of peripheral nerve masses.