title: Results of surgical treatment of schwannomas arising from extremities.
abstract: Schwannomas are benign neoplasms derived from Schwann cells. In this work, we present our experience in operative management of schwannomas and analyse results of treatment. Clinical material consisted of 34 patients, in whom 44 schwannomas located in extremities were excised between 1985 and 2013. Thirty-five tumours originated from major peripheral nerves and 9 from small nerve branches. Postoperatively, in the first group of tumours, pain resolved in 100%, paresthesias in 83.3%, and Hoffmann-Tinel sign in 91.6% of the patients. Improvement in motor function was noted in 28.5% of the cases, in sensory function: complete in 70%, and partial in 15%. The most frequently affected major peripheral nerves were the ulnar (11 tumours) and median (5 tumours) nerves. Schwannomas originating from small nerve branches were removed without identification of the site of origin. After their resection, definitive healing was achieved. Conclusions. (1) Schwannomas located in extremities arise predominantly from major peripheral nerves, most commonly the ulnar and median nerves. (2) Gradual tumour growth causes exacerbation of compression neuropathy, creating an indication for surgery. (3) In most cases, improvement in peripheral nerve function after excision of schwannoma is achieved. (4) The risk of new permanent postoperative neurological deficits is low.
authors: Department of Traumatology, Clinic of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Jerzy
authors: 0000-0002-1563-0940
authors: J
authors: Gosk
authors: Department of Traumatology, Clinic of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Olga
authors: 0000-0003-1873-1621
authors: O
authors: Gutkowska
authors: Department of Traumatology, Clinic of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Urban
authors: Department of Traumatology, Clinic of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Witold
authors: W
authors: Wnukiewicz
authors: Department of Traumatology, Clinic of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Paweł
authors: P
authors: Reichert
authors: Division of Pathomorphology, Department of Pathomorphology, Wroclaw Medical University, Ulica K. Marcinkowskiego 1, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Ziółkowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult