Case Series of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumours: Schwannoma

Schwannoma or Neurilemoma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour which can affect any nerve in the body. Painless swelling or paraesthesia over the sensory distribution of the affected nerve are the usual symptoms. Audit of 12 cases operated for solitary schwannoma involving the various nerves in the extremity operated at Sir JJ group of Hospital, Mumbai from January 2013 to July 2017. Out of the 12 cases operated for solitary schwannoma 10 were males and two were females. These cases were in the age group from 28 years to 66 years. Seven cases involved the upper limb and five cases affected the lower limb. Preoperative evaluation with ultrasonography and MRI was done. Nerve preserving enucleation was done in all the cases except one which required nerve grafting. Following nerve grafting there was temporary anaesthesia over the medial thigh which recovered in three months. Postoperated neuropraxia was noted in one case which spontaneously recovered in six weeks. None of the patients had any other local or regional complications on a follow up period of 28 months. Schwannoma can be a challenging tumour because of its proximity to the nerve. At our institute immediate postoperative complication rate was 9% with no long term neurological deficit or recurrence.