Mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma of the gastroesophageal junction: A series of 6 cases and comparison with colorectal counterpart

Colonic Mucosal Schwann Cell Hamartoma With Ancient Change: A Deceptive Feature for a Rare Lesion

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas are relatively rare, incidental, benign neural tumors of the colonic mucosa. They are characterized by an ill-defined proliferation of spindle cells in the lamina propria, are thought to originate from Schwann cells, and hence are diffusely positive for S100 immunostain. Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas differ from neurofibromas and ganglioneuromas due to the absence of syndromic associations. Differentiating mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas from other mesenchymal lesions of the colon is clinically important due to their benign course and lack of syndromic associations. Schwannoma, another neural tumor, commonly shows ancient changes, which are defined by large, irregular hyperchromatic nuclei without atypical mitosis or necrosis. Here, we report a rare lesion of colonic mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma with ancient changes (as described in schwannomas) to increase awareness of histologic variations associated with mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas.

Mesenchymal Tumors of the Tubular Gastrointestinal Tract (Non-GIST): The GI Pathologist's Approach

Mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract are rare compared with epithelial lesions. However, over the past few decades, the increasing volume of gastrointestinal endoscopy has expedited the recognition of several novel entities with varying clinical significance. Its spectrum extends from reactive changes and benign neoplasms to highly aggressive sarcomas. At the malignant end of the spectrum, the importance of correctly diagnosing these tumors is underscored by the specific therapeutic implications available for some tumor types (eg, tyrosine kinase inhibitors for gastrointestinal stromal tumors) that allow personalized treatments. Benign lesions frequently surface among routine polypectomy specimens, sometimes offering diagnostic challenges. However, precise classification is the only way to avoid prognostic uncertainty and overtreatment, and to recognize possible syndromic associations. Hereby, we offer a pragmatic review of the topic from the gastrointestinal pathologist's perspective, who, although more accustomed to epithelial neoplasms, can use an algorithmic approach to diagnose mesenchymal entities successfully.

Multifocal neuromuscular hamartoma with smooth muscle and Schwannian components

A male in his early 20s with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and severe weight loss was found to have two intrabdominal masses causing his symptoms: one in the gastro-oesophageal junction and the other occupying the coeliac plexus in the cardiophrenic region. These masses were surgically removed and sent to pathology where they were found to be smooth muscle hamartomas with Schwannian components. These represent a unique presentation of benign smooth muscle tumours that is not typically seen in young adults, especially in the cardiophrenic region involving the coeliac plexus.

Schwann Cell Hamartoma Presenting as a Colonic Polyp: A Rare Case Report With a Literature Review

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas (MSCHs) are non-common noncancerous growths derived from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, often found unexpectedly during routine colonoscopy examinations. These growths primarily occur in the colon, although they can also appear in the esophagus and are not linked to familial cancer syndromes. Diagnosis relies on specific histological characteristics and staining patterns. It is essential to distinguish MSCHs accurately since their appearance can closely resemble that of malignant tumors. Characteristically, these hamartomas test positive for S-100 protein but do not exhibit markers typical of other gastrointestinal growths, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (negative for KIT), leiomyomas (negative for smooth muscle actin), neurofibromas (negative for CD34), and perineuromas (negative for epithelial membrane antigen or claudin-1). This report discusses the case of a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with MSCH during a screening colonoscopy.

An Unusual Case of Schwann Cell Hamartoma in Colon

Schwann cell tumors are benign tumors originating from Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system and are extremely rare in the gastrointestinal system. They usually originate in the colon or rectum but can also occur in the esophagus and small intestine. Their occurrence is rare in GI tract and mainly in the sigmoid colon. Schwann cell tumors have no association with any familial cancer syndromes. We present a 65-year-old female patient who underwent routine colon cancer screening. In addition to open mouth diverticulosis, she was found to have a 3 mm polyp, which was diagnosed as a Schwann cell hamartoma after a biopsy. This study aimed to present this rarely reported case in the literature as an example of a tumor that should be included in the differential diagnosis when considering submucosal colonic lesions. Though the reported reoccurrence rate is low, this case highlights the lack of published guidelines regarding appropriate follow-up surveillance periods.

A Rare Case of Schwann Cell Hamartoma in the Duodenum

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas (MSCHs) are benign neural lesions that are not associated with inherited syndromes and are primarily found in the distal colon. We report the first case of an MSCH in the duodenum. This case highlights the expansive nature of MSCHs and discusses the implications of this finding in the duodenum and in the context of a hematologic malignancy.

Intraspinal choristoma in the lumbar region: A case report

RATIONALE

Intraspinal choristoma is a relatively uncommon intervertebral canal tumor. Prior to our reports, only 2 cases of intraspinal choristoma had been reported. Because this disease is not common and looks like a mass of fatty tissue on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intraspinal choristoma can be easily misdiagnosed as teratomas or lipomas (like the case of this article presenting) without a pathology report. So if a lumber intraspinal lesion is discovered in a clinical examination, intraspinal choristoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis. We present a case of intraspinal choristoma that is unlike any other reported case.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 35-year-old woman with left lower extremity hypoesthesia and burning-like pain in the lumbar region for 1 month visited the local hospital for plain lumbar spine MRI. The patient was diagnosed with a lumbar space-occupying lesion. A second plain lumbar spine MRI scan and a MRI scan with enhancement were performed in our hospital to confirm the presence of a congenital lipoma in the spinal canal. A postoperative biopsy of the lumbar spinal mass indicated that the mass was an intraspinal choristoma located in the spinal canal.

DIAGNOSIS

Intraspinal choristoma.

INTERVENTION

The lesion was surgically removed, and follow-up plain and enhanced MRI images of the patient's lumbar spine were obtained.

OUTCOMES

After surgery, the patient no longer experienced the burning pain in her lumbar region or the left lower extremity hypoesthesia when the patient was discharged. And there was no evidence of recurrence 2 years after the surgery.

LESSONS

The MRI presentation of intraspinal choristoma is similar to intraspinal lipoma. Therefore, a pathological assessment is critical to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Nonpolypous Hamartomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract: An Updated Review on Classification, Denominations, and Clinical Management

PURPOSE

To perform the first systematic report about histological subtypes of nonpolypous hamartomas of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from esophagus to anal canal.

DESIGN

From over 19,000 studies about hamartomas, most of them published as case series or case presentations, we have selected the most representative ones for the GI tract, excluding polyposis syndromes. To have a whole picture of these hamartomas, all of the data were combined with the personal experience of the authors who are GI pathologists.

RESULTS

The examined articles showed predominance of vascular and combined vascular and mesenchymal hamartomas. Arteriovenous hamartomas or Brunner gland hamartomas are mainly diagnosed in the small intestine, with preponderance for duodenum. Other malformations such cavernous hamartomas are more specific for the colorectal segments, whereas chondromatous hamartomas or those derived from the neural ectoderm were mostly reported in the esophagus. As newly recognized entities were admitted in the last years, misdiagnosis is frequent, and the best therapeutic approach is far to be known.

CONCLUSION

Even rare, hamartomas of the GI tract need to be differentiated from tumors and familial polyposis syndromes. Knowing their proper denominations and possible complications is valuable for gastroenterologists, pathologists, and surgeons, to be aware in the differential diagnosis.

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma of the gallbladder

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma (MSCH) is a rare benign neurogenic tumor characterized by pure S100p positive spindle cell proliferation. Most cases occur in the distal colon. Involvement of the gall bladder is exceedingly rare. There have been no reports of recurrence or a syndromic association with MSCH. Herein, we describe a case of MSCH of the gallbladder in a 55-year-old female patient with prior history of gastrointestinal neurofibromas who presented with abdominal pain. MR imaging revealed choledocholithiasis, gallbladder thickening, and marked biliary and pancreatic ductal dilation. The patient subsequently underwent cholecystectomy with choledochoduodenostomy. Histologic evaluation of the gallbladder showed diffuse expansion of the mucosa with S100p positive cells with spindly nuclei and indistinct cytoplasmic borders and diagnosis of MSCH of the gallbladder was rendered.

Multiple non-polypoid mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas presenting as edematous and submucosal tumor-like lesions: a case report

Background

Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas are rare neurogenic tumors which present most commonly in the distal colon. They are usually discovered as small, single polyps in asymptomatic patients.

Case presentation

An asymptomatic 64-year-old man was referred to us after a 12 mm subepithelial lesion was discovered incidentally on screening colonoscopy. Follow-up colonoscopy conducted 2 months later revealed that the tumor had disappeared, leaving multiple edematous, submucosal tumor-like elevations presenting as skip lesions throughout the sigmoid colon. Lesions had elongated pits on magnifying endoscopy and were limited to the first layer on endoscopic ultrasound. Biopsies revealed unclearly delineated foci of spindle-shaped cells limited to the lamina propria. On immunohistochemistry, all lesions were positive for S-100 protein and negative for CD34, CD56, and neurofilament protein. The patient was diagnosed with multiple mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas of the sigmoid colon. He remains asymptomatic after 18 months of follow-up, but the lesions have also remained unchanged.

Conclusion

We report a case of multiple non-polypoid mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas. Endoscopic findings may assist in the differential diagnosis, particularly when presenting as non-polypoid, submucosal tumor-like lesions.