Intracerebral schwannoma clinically and radiologically mimicking meningioma

Hidehiro Takei, Lorenz Schmiege, Linda Buckleair, J. Clay Goodman, Suzanne Zein-Eldin Powell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

A case of intracerebral schwannoma (ICS) occurring in a 33-year-old woman is presented. The patient's history of headache, numbness, tingling and the recent development of weakness of the right upper extremity with right facial droop began during pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 4 × 2 × 2 cm heterogeneous, gadolinium-enhanced mass at the left frontoparietal junction, with peritumoral edema and a dural-based attachment. During her pregnancy, the mass increased in size. The surgically resected specimen consisted of lobulated, somewhat gelatinous soft tissue. Microscopically, the tumor demonstrated classic biphasic Antoni type A and B patterns, admixed with degenerative changes. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for S-100 protein (diffuse and strong), CD34 (primarily in Antoni B areas), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; weak and diffuse) and calretinin (mainly in Antoni A areas), while none was positive for CD31, estrogen and progesterone receptors, bcl-2, or epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Ultrastructurally, basal laminae and Luse bodies were identified. The differential diagnosis includes fibrous meningioma, solitary fibrous tumor, and ICS. Twenty-seven cases of ICS were reviewed in which the histological diagnosis was confirmed immunohistochemically or ultrastructually, and the cases were summarized (including the present case). A combined use of immunostains (S-100 protein, EMA, CD34, and maybe calretinin) is of great help in distinguishing ICS from its histological mimickers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)514-519
Number of pages6
JournalPathology International
Volume55
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2005

Keywords

  • Dural-based
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intracerebral schwannoma
  • Ultrastructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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