Cystic schwannoma of the falx cerebri

Intracranial parenchymal schwannomas unrelated to a major cranial nerve are uncommon and dural schwannomas are rare. We report a 23-year-old woman without neurofibromatosis admitted with a 3-month history of seizures and left hemiparesis. Radiological investigation revealed a huge cystic tumour in the right cerebral hemisphere, attached to the falx cerebri. The solid part of the tumour showed contrast enhancement. The patient underwent excision of the tumour via a right-sided parietal craniotomy. The histological diagnosis was schwannoma. Recognition of these potentially curable tumours is important and they should be excised if possible. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.