Schwannom Nervus ischiadicus

Schwannom Nervus ischiadicus

Schwannomas, less commonly called neurinomas or neurilemmomas, are benign tumors of Schwann cell origin and are the most common tumor of peripheral nerves, including cranial nerves.

This article provides a general overview of schwannomas. For a discussion of schwannomas located at specific sites, please refer to the relevant articles listed below.

Epidemiology

Peak presentation is in the 5-6 decades. When they occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomas usually present by the 3 decade . There is no sex predilection.

Associations

Most schwannomas are solitary (90%)  and sporadic, however, there is an association with NF2 (abnormality of chromosome 22). Multiple schwannomas are characteristic of NF2. Approximately 18% of solitary schwannomas occur in patients with NF2 .

There is also schwannomatosis, which consists of multiple schwannomas without the concomitant involvement of cranial nerve VIII.

Clinical presentation

Presentation depends on the location of the tumor (see below) but generally, symptoms are due to local mass effect or dysfunction of the nerve they arise from.

Pathology

Macroscopic appearance

Schwannomas are benign encapsulated neoplasms of Schwann cells (WHO grade I). They arise eccentrically from their parent nerve, with the nerve fibers splayed along their surface (as distinct to neurofibromas which arise within the nerve).

Microscopic appearance

Conventional schwannomas are composed of spindle cells which demonstrate two growth patterns: Antoni type A and Antoni type B .

Antoni type A pattern: elongated cells are densely packed and arranged in fascicles. Palisades are sometimes seen; when prominent these form Verocay bodies.

Antoni type B pattern cells are less compact and are prone to cystic degeneration.

Variants

Schwannoma variants include :

• ancient schwannoma
• cellular schwannoma
  • predominantly composed of Antoni A tissue
  • no Verocay bodies
  • most commonly found in a paravertebral location, or trigeminal nerves (CN V)
• melanotic schwannoma: dense melanin pigment
• plexiform schwannoma
  • usually arise from skin or subcutaneous tissues
  • usually diagnosed at birth or childhood
  • usually sporadic, but rarely associated with NF2
  • should not be confused with plexiform neurofibromas
    • associated with NF1
    • may undergo malignant change

Locations

• intracranial schwannomas
  • cranial nerves: although almost any cranial nerve may be involved, except olfactory nerves and optic nerves which lack sheaths composed of Schwann cells, by far the most commonly involved nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) 
  • non-cranial nerve or intracerebral (very rare)
• spinal schwannoma
  • arising from spinal nerve roots  
• trunk
  • intercostal nerves – see intercostal nerve schwannoma
  • posterior mediastinum
  • retroperitoneum
  • gastrointestinal schwannoma
• limbs
  • especially flexor surfaces (specifically ulnar and peroneal nerves)

Radiographic features

General imaging features of schwannomas include:

• well-circumscribed masses which displace adjacent structures without direct invasion
• cystic and fatty degeneration is common
• the larger a schwannoma, the more likely it is to show heterogeneity because of cystic degeneration or hemorrhage
• hemorrhage occurs in 5% of cases
• calcification is rare

CT

CT is not as sensitive or specific for the diagnosis of schwannoma as MRI but is often the first investigation obtained. It is particularly useful in assessing bony changes adjacent to the tumor.

Imaging features include:

• low to intermediate attenuation
• intense contrast enhancement
  • small tumors typically demonstrate homogeneous enhancement
  • larger tumors may show heterogeneous enhancement
• adjacent bone remodeling with smooth corticated edges

MRI

Schwannomas have fairly predictable signal characteristics :

• T1: isointense or hypointense
• T1 C+ (Gd): intense enhancement
• T2: heterogeneously hyperintense (Antoni A: relatively low, Antoni B: high)
  • cystic degenerative areas may be present, especially in larger tumors
• T2*: larger tumors often have areas of hemosiderin

A number of signs can also be useful:

• split-fat sign: thin peripheral rim of fat best seen on planes along long axis of the lesion in non-fat-suppressed sequences
• target sign
  • peripheral high T2 signal
  • central low signal
  • rarely seen intracranially
• fascicular sign: multiple small ring-like structures

Treatment and prognosis

Schwannomas are slow-growing lesions. Surgery is the treatment of choice. As schwannomas do not infiltrate the parent nerve, they can usually be separated from it. Recurrence is unusual, even after complete resection. They almost never undergo malignant change.

Siehe auch:

• Nervus ischiadicus
• Schwannom
• maligner peripherer Nervenscheidentumor (MPNST) des Nervus ischiadicus
• Schwannom des Nervus femoralis
• Faszikel-Zeichen

und weiter:

• retroperitoneale zystische Veränderungen