title: Cystic schwannoma of the sphenoid sinus and skull base.
abstract: Skull base and intracranial cystic schwannomas are rare tumors. To our knowledge, a cystic schwannoma involving the sphenoid sinus has not been previously reported. The location and fluid-filled nature of the lesion resulted in an erroneous preliminary diagnosis of a destructive sphenoid sinus mucocele. Endoscopic biopsy and decompression established the correct diagnosis and reversed a progressive visual loss until definitive surgical removal of the lesion was accomplished. Diagnostic evaluation, histologic findings and management strategies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: DiNardo
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mellis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery