title: Abdominal Wall Schwannoma.
abstract: Neurilemmomas-or schwannomas-are rare soft tissue tumours involving peripheral nerve sheaths, usually found in the head and neck regions. They can infrequently originate within the tissues of the abdominal wall. Here, we present a case of symptomatic schwannoma of the abdominal wall in a 62-year-old woman referred for abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. On physical examination, a 5-7-cm oval-shaped area of consolidation with regular borders and elastic consistence was palpable. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen revealed a hypoechogenic mass measuring 80-33-42 mm; subsequently, a CT scan confirmed the presence of a well-circumscribed mass, with small calcifications inside. Radical excision of the lesion under general anaesthesia was performed, and the histological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of "ancient" schwannoma. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day, and, at a clinical check 1 month postoperation, she reported no recurrence of abdominal pain and had an improved quality of life. Schwannomas have a good prognosis overall, with malignant degeneration being very rare. Local recurrence is plausible only if non-radical resection of the primitive tumour occurs. This is the second case ever reported, to our knowledge, of symptomatic schwannoma of the abdominal wall. We advocate surgical removal of the tumour when it presents as a cause of abdominal pain, ensuring that a radical excision is performed due to the possibility-though rare-of malignant transformation or recurrence. This offers the possibility of total regression of symptoms through surgical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy. ginesugc@uniss.it.
authors.forename: Giorgio Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ginesu
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puledda
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Feo
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fancellu
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Addis
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porcu
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Abdominal pain; Abdominal wall; Neurilemmomas; Schwannoma