title: Laparoscopic approach to a case of appendicular schwannoma.
abstract: Appendicular schwannoma is a rare tumor originating from Schwann's cells in the Auerbach plexus. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because the clinical features are nonspecific, and it is mostly found accidentally via a radiologic image as a tumor, mimicking malignancy. We report a case of an appendicular schwannoma coexisting with an adenocarcinoma in the lung. A laparoscopic appendectomy was done with a clear resection margin, and the immunohistochemical staining showed positive S-100 protein, which confirmed the schwannoma. The patient also underwent a left upper lobectomy of the lung. The patient has been free of recurrence for the 6 months since the operation. The laparoscopic approach could be available for treatment of an appendicular schwannoma, thus avoiding an unnecessary laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Joong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yoo Shin
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sung Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: In Taik
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Beom Gyu
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim