title: Benign retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking an adrenal mass.
abstract: Adrenal tumors are frequently incidental discoveries, and the therapy for them is the subject of controversial discussions. We report herein on such an incidentaloma, which proved to be a benign retroperitoneal schwannoma. A 48-year-old female with an unclear adrenal mass underwent retroperitoneoscopic tumor extirpation. A well-defined tumor that displaced the adrenal gland and adhered firmly to only one retroperitoneal nerve was discovered. The en bloc resection was performed without problem. The histopathologic examination revealed a benign schwannoma. Retroperitoneal schwannomas can mimic a multitude of different conditions. Because imaging methods frequently do not yield distinct results, quite often only the operative exploration can establish a definitive diagnosis. In a case of unclear retroperitoneal findings, an endoscopic extirpation should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Viszeral und Transplantationschirurgie, Institut für Pathologie, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behrend
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaaden
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Von Wasielewski
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frericks
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery