title: Gastric Schwannoma: A Case Report.
abstract: Schwannomas are generally benign, slow growing tumors. They are rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract with the most common site being the stomach. These tumors are usually asymptomatic. The preoperative diagnosisviaendoscopy is a challenging issue due to the difficulty of differentiation from other submucosal tumors. A 54-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain persisting for the last 10 months. Upper endoscopy revealed an elevated submucosal mass of the gastric antrum. The overlying mucosa was normal. Biopsy specimens yielded only unspecific signs of mild inactive chronic inflammation. Endoscopic ultrasound examination noted a hypoechoic homogeneous mass lesion located in the gastric antrum. The mass appeared to arise from the muscularis propria, and there was no perigastric lymphadenopathy. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan identified a homogeneous round mass and arising from the antrum of the stomach. Submucosal tumor was suspected and surgical intervention was recommended. The patient underwent an elective laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. The histopathologic features and immunohistochemical-staining pattern were consistent with a benign gastric schwannoma. Our patient shows no recurrence with a follow-up of one year. The definitive diagnosis of gastric schwannomas requires immunohistochemical studies. Complete margin negative surgical resection, as in this case, is the curative treatment of choice. The clinical course is generally benign.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Mongi Slim University Hospital and University of Tunis El Manar , Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hayfa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Romdhane
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Mongi Slim University Hospital and University of Tunis El Manar , Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral Surgery, Mongi Slim Hospital , Sidi Daoued, La Marsa, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zeineb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mzoughi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mongi Slim Hospital , Sidi Daoued, La Marsa, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sana Ben
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Slama
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Mongi Slim University Hospital and University of Tunis El Manar , Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Rym
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ennaifer
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Mongi Slim University Hospital and University of Tunis El Manar , Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Najet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Belhadj
keywords: Schwanoma; neurinoma; stomach