European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

RETROPERITONEAL ANCIENT SCHWANNOMA: A RARE DIFFERENTIAL FOR BROAD LIGAMENT FIBROID

Dr. Tarang Preet Kaur*, Dr. Latika Sahu, Dr. Asmita M. Rathore, Dr. Anju Garg, Dr. Ranjan Patel and Dr. Prerna Mohan

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Broad ligament fibroid in not an unusual diagnosis in gynecological practice, but retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma (with degenerative features such as cysts calcifications) is rarely considered in differential diagnosis. This case of retroperitoneal schwannoma is being presented here for its rarity (incidence is 1-10% of all retroperitoneal tumors) and diagnosis difficulty. Schwannomas originate from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve fibers. Preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal schwannoma is difficult. Prognosis of retroperitoneal benign schwannoma is extremely good. Case Presentation {Material & Methods, results}: A 25 yr old lady with complain of lower abdominal pain for 1 yr presented to private hospital where she underwent laparotomy when surgery could not be completed due to technical difficulty and patient was referred to us. On clinical examination on admission, a pelvic mass hard in consistency, immobile, non tender was palpated, suspicious of malignant pathology. Imaging (USG, CT and MRI) suggested broad ligament fibroid or retroperitoneal tumour and FNAC/ Tru cut biopsy suggested leiomyoma. On exploratory laparotomy in our hospital, a large retroperitoneal mass 10X10 cm was resected with the help of surgeons. Surgical specimen sent for frozen section was reported to be benign spindle cell tumour and HPE was reported to be benign ancient schwannoma. Postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: Retroperitoneal schwannoma is a rare tumour which may mimic broad ligament fibroid with difficulty in preoperative diagnosis and final diagnosis can only be made after HPE and immunohistochemical examination.

Keywords: Retroperitoneal schwannoma, broad ligament fibroid, Histopathology, immunohistochemistry.