Research
Computed tomography and pathological findings of five nasal neurilemmomas
1 Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
2 Department of Radiology. The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
3 Department of pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
Head & Neck Oncology 2012, 4:26 doi:10.1186/1758-3284-4-26
Published: 23 May 2012Abstract
Objectives
Neurilemmomas are benign tumors deriving from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. They occur in all parts of the body. The highest incidence of neurilemmoma is in the head and neck region (38–45%), but involvement of the nose and paranasal sinus is quite rare, with only sporadic cases having been reported in the world literature. Fewer than 4% of these tumors involve the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. We describe the clinical, pathologic, and computed tomography (CT) features of five nasal neurilemmomas.
Methodology
CT features of five patients with nasal schwannoma proved by operation and pathology were investigated.
Results
Schwannomas tend to be solitary and are usually well-circumscribed tumors with an oval, round or fusiform shape in the unilateral nasal cavity. The lesions usually have a mottled central lucency with peripheral intensification on contrast-enhanced CT scans. The heterogeneous appearance is related to areas of increased vascularity with adjacent non-enhancing cystic or necrotic regions.
Conclusions
Schwannoma should be considered in the differential of unusual nasal masses. Certain clinical and CT patterns may be of use in the differential diagnosis.
