title: Large retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking ovarian carcinoma: case report and literature review.
abstract: In this article we present a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma localized in the pelvic cavity with complete cystic degeneration, mimicking ovarian carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 25-year-old nulligravid woman was admitted to our gynecology out-patient clinic with the complaint of abdominal distension, right flank pain and pollakiuria. Sonographic study showed a cytic mass containing necrotic areas and filling the whole pelvic cavity. Computed tomography and colonography suggested the possible diagnosis of a right ovarian malign tumor. Laparotomy revealed a retroperitoneal cystic lesion. Microscopic examination of the pelvic mass confirmed the diagnosis of cystic degenerative schwannoma. After six months of initial surgery she is still alive without any evidence of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present case, it is emphasized that it is easy to make an error and misdiagnose a pelvic mass as an ovarian tumor when it is in fact a tumor from another origin. Additonally, clinicians should keep in mind that retroperitoneal schwannoma may mimic cystic ovarian carcinoma even in young women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Techniqual University, Trabzon, Turkey. turhanaran@gmail.com
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guven
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gocer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ersoz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bozkaya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology