Isolated lympho-histiocytic inflammation of the Gasserian ganglion mimicking trigeminal schwannoma.
We present an unusual case of a patient with trigeminal pain and hypesthesia suggesting trigeminal schwannoma, where histology demonstrated an inflammatory lesion of the Gasserian ganglion.


METHODS
Patient history and imaging were typical for a trigeminal schwannoma with a dumbbell growth in the middle and posterior fossa. Surgery was performed and resection of a firm mass intermingled with fascicles originating from the ganglion and the mandibular branch was carried out via a subtemporal approach. Histological diagnosis revealed a non-caseating, vaguely granulomatous lymphocyte- and histiocyte-rich inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory lesions of the Gasserian ganglion are rare but may mimic tumors. Intraoperative biopsies should be taken prior to complete resection to limit neurological deterioration.
Tronnier
V
V
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. volker.tronnier@neurochirurgie.uni-luebeck.de
Pannier
G
G
Gottschalk
S
S
Petersen
D
D
Reusche
E
E
Merz
H
H
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000473:pathology*; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology*