title: Peripheral Nerve Schwannoma: A Review of Varying Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings.
abstract: A schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a benign, isolated, noninvasive, and encapsulated tumor originating from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The incidence of a schwannoma occurring in the foot and ankle is rare, with prevalence rate of 1% to 10%. Schwannomas have no sex predilection, and they commonly occur in patients in their fourth decade. Malignant transformation of benign schwannoma is unusual; however, it is important to note that malignant variants of schwannomas do exist and account for about 5% to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. We present 3 cases of benign schwannoma in the lower extremity. All 3 patients presented with varying clinical symptoms, including pain, paresthesia, weakness, and a palpable mass. A schwannoma was eventually diagnosed in all 3 patients. We discuss and review the known entities of peripheral nerve schwannoma and describe the clinical and imaging findings and therapeutic strategies for treating and diagnosing peripheral nerve schwannoma.
authors.affiliation: Professor, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY. Electronic address: winrad@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.affiliation: Resident, St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ.
authors.forename: Jalpen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Podiatrist, Astoria, NY.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Badawy
authors.affiliation: Podiatrist, Huntington Foot Care, Huntington, NY.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weissinger
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Long Island Jewish Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgeon, Huntington, NY.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bourhill
authors.affiliation: Physician, Medical Arts Radiology, Commack, NY.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parnell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013641:Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: benign neoplasm; nerve sheath tumors; neurilemmoma; sural nerve; tarsal tunnel syndrome; tibial nerve