Brainstem schwannoma--case report

A 68-year-old female presented with rare brainstem schwannoma manifesting as right hemiparesis, diplopia, and dysphagia. Neuroimaging revealed a lesion in the pons and cerebral peduncle, which was supposed to be a highly malignant glioma. The mass was approached via a single-flap orbitozygomatic craniotomy through an anteromedial pericavernous approach. Intraoperative frozen-section specimens indicated glioma, but the tumor was distinct from the surrounding parenchyma, and could be removed successfully. A tumor capsule was found and also removed. Postoperative histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examinations confirmed the diagnosis of benign schwannoma. Most schwannomas, even in the brainstem, are benign and complete removal may be curative.