title: Intracerebral schwannoma presenting as classic temporal lobe epilepsy.
abstract: Schwannomas of the brain parenchyma are extremely rare, occurring mostly in children and young adults. Fewer than 50 cases have been reported in the English-language literature. Isolated temporal lobe epilepsy is a rare presentation of intracerebral schwannomas, with only 2 reported cases. The authors present the case of a 51-year-old woman with a 4-year history of medication-refractory seizures, which were localized on electroencephalography to the right temporal lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a mildly space-occupying, T2 hyperintense, and inhomogeneously enhancing mass in her left mesial temporal lobe. Histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy examinations of the surgical specimen established a diagnosis of intracerebral schwannoma. Accurate diagnosis of intracerebral schwannomas is essential, particularly in younger patients, given the lesions' nature, amenity to resection, favorable long-term prognosis, and broad radiological differential. The etiology of these lesions remains unknown, and multiple proposed theories are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Department of Pathology, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. deep.guha@mail.utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Daipayan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guha
authors.forename: Tim-Rasmus
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kiehl
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krings
authors.forename: Taufik A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Valiante
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004569:Electroencephalography; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000209:etiology; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005911:Gliosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed