title: Laparoscopic management of sacral neurinoma causing hydronephrosis.
abstract: We report the case of a sacral neurinoma, which presented with mild hydronephrosis, due to compression of the right ureter, in a 71-yr old woman admitted to our hospital with recurrent urinary tract infections. CT and MRI detected a 4 x 4 cm mass pressing on the right ureter at the sacral level, in continuity with the second sacral foramen. Given this finding, the mass was thought to be of presumable neurogenic origin. In order to both reach a conclusive diagnosis and relieve the compression of the ureter, a laparoscopic resection of the mass was performed. Surgery was successful and the pathologic examination revealed a sacral Antoni A neurinoma. Neurinomas, also called Schwannomas, are uncommon benign nerve sheath tumors arising from Schwann cells. Their diagnosis can be extremely difficult due to their aspecific symptoms and the lack of pathognomonic characteristics on imaging exams. Therefore, histopathologic evaluation is essential in establishing the diagnosis. Surgical resection seems to be the best approach, both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
authors.affiliation: University of Turin, Department of Urology-1, AOU San Giovanni Battista, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giona
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oderda
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garbossa
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peraldo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gurioli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gontero
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009442:Neurilemmoma; D012447:Sacrum; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery