Rare presentation of pancreatic schwannoma: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Schwannoma is a rare tumor among pancreatic neoplasms. Schwannomas vary in size, and most of them are cystic, mimicking pancreatic cystic lesions. Generally, a definitive diagnosis is made at the time of histological analysis. The mainstay treatment is surgical resection.


METHODS
We report an unusual presentation of pancreatic schwannoma with abdominal pain and several episodes of cholangitis in a 54-year-old Caucasian (Iranian) man. The condition was not diagnosed pre-operatively and Whipple's procedure was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic schwannoma is an important clinical entity to include in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. Pre-operative diagnosis is difficult but computed tomographic findings may be helpful. The tumor may also have atypical and rare presentations, such as cholangitis and weight loss. For benign tumors, simple enucleation is usually adequate, whereas malignant tumors require standard oncological resection.
Tofigh
Arash Mohammadi
AM
Department of Surgery, Imam Hussein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University/MC, Tehran, Iran. arash_mtofigh@yahoo.com
Hashemi
Mohammad
M
Honar
Behzad Nemati
BN
Solhjoo
Fereidoon
F