Malignant schwannoma of the infratemporal fossa: a case report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Malignant schwannomas or neurofibrosarcomas are rare nerve tumors of unknown etiology. These neoplasms are highly aggressive with a marked propensity for local recurrence and metastatic spread. Their management continues to be a challenge for pathologists and surgeons. Maxillofacial locations are very exceptional. We report the case of a patient with unusual malignant schwannoma of the infratemporal fossa discovered at a late evolving stage.

CASE PRESENTATION:

A 56-year-old woman, of Moroccan nationality, presented to our hospital in 2013 with a large right-sided hemifacial swelling that had evolved over the previous 4 months, with a limitation of mouth opening, nasal obstruction and episodes of epistaxis. A CT scan and MRI showed a large and invasive tumor occupying her right infratemporal fossa and maxillary sinus, with sphenoidal, ethmoidonasal, nasopharyngeal and intraorbital extension. A nasal endoscopic biopsy was performed. Immunohistochemical examination concluded a diagnosis of malignant schwannoma, and a palliative radiotherapy was decided; however, our patient died 10 days later.

CONCLUSIONS:

Malignant schwannoma of paranasal sinuses and the anterior skull base is a rare tumor that involves a high rate of local invasion. The prognosis is poorer compared to that occurring in the trunk and extremities.

• Authors: Mohamed Mliha Touati, Youssef Darouassi, Mehdi Chihani, Abdelfettah Al Jalil, Khalid Tourabi, Mohamed Lakouichmi, Ismail Essadi, Brahim Bouaity, Haddou Ammar
• Journal: Journal of medical case reports (J Med Case Rep) Vol. 9 Pg. 153 (Jul 04 2015) ISSN: 1752-1947 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26141125 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Maxillary Sinus (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Nasal Obstruction (etiology)
• Neurilemmoma (complications, diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Nose Neoplasms (complications, diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed