Case Reports in Oncology (May 2012)
Multiple Retroperitoneal Schwannomas Mimicking Adrenal Tumors
Abstract
Schwannomas are benign tumors mostly arising from the head and neck. Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare. Here we report the case of a 68-year-old woman with multiple retroperitoneal schwannomas. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed 1 non-enhancing mass with a low-density area, 4.6 cm in diameter, in the left adrenal region and another non-enhancing mass with a low-density area, 2.9 cm in diameter, in the para-aortic region. The patient had regularly undergone CT scans for malignant tumor screening in maintenance dialysis patients. Retrospectively, the 2 tumors had existed in the same regions in previous CT scans and had gradually increased in size. The tumors were completely resected. Pathological diagnosis of both tumors was schwannoma. When a CT scan shows a slowly growing retroperitoneal tumor with a low-density area, schwannoma should be considered. If the tumor increases in size, complete resection should be performed for pathological diagnosis.
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