Intraventricular schwannoma: Case report and review of literature

Intraventricular schwannomas: A case report and a literature review

Intraventricular schwannomas are extremely rare, typically benign tumors originating from Schwann cells, which are not normally found within the ventricular system. Their presence challenges conventional understanding of tumor origins and complicates diagnosis and management. We report the case of a 19-year-old female presenting with a drop attack and headache, with no significant medical history. MRI revealed a heterogeneously enhancing lesion in the right lateral ventricle. Differential diagnoses included malignant tumors; however, histopathological examination post-surgical resection confirmed an intraventricular schwannoma. Postoperative outcomes were favorable, with successful CSF diversion via a right occipital ventriculoperitoneal shunt for isolated right temporal hydrocephalus. This case is notable for its atypical presentation in a young patient, challenging the conventional understanding that intraventricular schwannomas primarily affect older individuals. In addition, the correct diagnosis and successful management of a rare intraventricular schwannoma underscores the importance of considering this rare diagnosis in patients with nonspecific neurological symptoms and intraventricular lesions. This case, alongside the literature review, enriches the body of evidence on intraventricular schwannomas, highlighting the critical role of surgical intervention and the need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

Lateral ventricle ectopic schwannoma: Case report and literature review

Background

Cases of lateral ventricular ectopic schwannomas (LVES) are extremely rare, with only 23 cases reported thus far. This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of the disease.

Methods

We reported a rare case of LVES, in which the patient was admitted to our hospital, and reviewed the relevant literature on LVES to summarize and analyze the clinical manifestations, pathologies, imaging features and progress.

Results

Of the 23 patients, LVES was more common in men (74%, 17/23) than in women and was mostly located on the right side (78%, 18/23). The average age at clinical presentation was 28 years, with an age range between 8 and 68 years. Moreover, most cases were histologically benign, except in one case of malignancy. In all the benign cases, there were 2 cases of subtotal resection, but no recurrence was found during follow-up.

Conclusions

The origin of LVES could be the tumor transformation of autonomic nerve tissue in the perivascular choroid plexus. For lateral ventricle tumors,which are rare benign lesions with good prognosis after surgical resection, LVES should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, whether LVES could be considered for gamma knife treatment, similar to a small acoustic neuromas,requires further investigation.

Diagnosis of a Rare Intraventricular Schwannoma

BACKGROUND

Intraventricular schwannoma is extremely rare, with only 35 cases reported to date in the literature. Consequently, its etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear, and therefore require further investigations. Here, we report on and discuss a rare case of intraventricular schwannoma to elucidate on this matter.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 26-year-old man was admitted to our institution with a 1-month history of headaches and left hemianopsia. At diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a well-demarcated mass with surrounding edema in the right lateral ventricle. Total resection of the tumor was performed by a transsulcal approach through the right parietal lobe. In surgery, it was observed that the tumor was attached to the choroid plexus without invading the wall of the right lateral ventricle. The respective histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of intraventricular schwannoma. Six months after the surgery, there was no recurrence. Additionally, during this follow-up period, the patient did not develop any neurologic deficit, including visual field narrowing or parietal symptoms, such as acalculia and right-left, finger, and space agnosias.

CONCLUSIONS

Although intraventricular schwannomas are rare, 35 cases have already been reported to date. We emphasize the importance of diagnosing such cases correctly to increase knowledge on the origin and pathogenesis of intraventricular tumors, which would facilitate disease management.