Solitary neurofibroma of the psoas muscle: An unusual location

Abstract

Neurofibroma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour usually present on superficial tissues of the head and trunk. Retroperitoneal location is extremely rare for neurofibroma and comprises only 1% of all retroperitoneal tumours. It can be solitary or associated with the genetic disorder, von Recklinghausen's disease or neurofibromatosis type-1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard modality for imaging retroperitoneal tumours because it provides a better definition and specificity in the evaluation of the location, extension, and composition of the lesion. Here, we report the case of a 30-year-old man affected by retroperitoneal solitary neurofibroma of the psoas muscle, but not associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. MRI showed a well-defined lobulated retroperitoneal lesion noted within the right psoas muscle. Complete surgical excision of the tumour was performed, and the diagnosis of neurofibroma was made through histological and immunohistochemical examination.

Keywords

• neurofibroma
• peripheral nerve sheath tumour
• psoas muscle
• retroperitoneal tumour