Abstract

Background: Schwannomas, also known as neurilemommas, are benign, well-circumscribed encapsulated peripheral nerve sheath tumors with rather indolent evolution. Made up of cells closely related to normal myelinating Schwann cells, these neoplasms may arise from the peripheral nervous system as well as from spinal or cranial nerves. They are mostly found in the base of the skull, neck, chest wall, posterior mediastinum, posterior spinal roots, cerebellopontine angle, retroperitoneum, and flexor surfaces of the extremities. The incidence rate of spinal schwannoma is 0.3–0.5/100,000 cases per year with an average age of 50 at diagnosis. We report a case of intrapulmonary schwannoma, adding a review of the literature.

Case Description: A 20-year-old female patient with no significant medical history, presented with pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, right upper limb weakness, and numbness. A computed tomography of the chest and magnetic resonance imaging showed a 7.2 × 10.5 × 8.3 cm mass in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe, arising from the right T5-6 neural foramen; a concurrent 16 mm thick right pleural effusion was also noticed yet without evidence of nodular enhancement. The findings suggested the presence of a neurofibroma or a schwannoma. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved through posterolateral thoracotomy; the ensuing histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed the presence of a schwannoma.

Conclusion: We believe this rare case of pulmonary invasive schwannoma illustrates the complex dynamics of this extremely rare entity; in this particular case, complete surgical excision proved to be crucial in terms of subacute management and local tumor control, at least at short and middle term. The patient is currently asymptomatic (6 months postsurgery) and remains on follow-up.

INTRODUCTION

Schwannomas, also called neurilemmomas, are well-circumscribed encapsulated peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Histopathologically, these neoplasms are made up of cells closely related to the normal Schwann cells that myelinate the peripheral nervous system.[ 13 , 19 ] As such, they may arise from any peripheral, spinal, or cranial nerve; the masses are often eccentric, protruding the affected nerve to the periphery. From an anatomical perspective, these lesions are commonly found in the base of the skull, cerebellopontine angle, and posterior spinal roots; however, other locations such as the region of the neck, the chest wall and cavity (posterior mediastinum), the retroperitoneum, and the flexor surfaces of the extremities have also been reported.[ 10 ]

The incidence rate of spinal schwannoma is 0.3–0.5/100,000 cases per year and the average age at diagnosis is around 50.[ 8 , 20 ] The pattern of growth is usually slow, hence a tendency for clinical indolence; the usual presentation is one of slowly enlarging, painless mass with neurologic symptoms depending on the nerve affected. Most schwannomas are benign; malignant transformation remains a rare phenomenon. In terms of imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chest computed tomography (CT) scans are optimal modalities for diagnosis and follow-up.[ 2 , 12 ]

The pattern of growth of schwannomas is usually slow and often indolent from a clinical perspective; as such, only selected cases undergo surgery.[ 1 ] On the other hand, intrapulmonary schwannomas are extremely rare, especially those large in size and paucisymptomatic. Complete surgical excision is often considered the gold standard of treatment for extracranial symptomatic schwannomas.[ 22 ] However, radiation therapy is commonly used in patients not fit for surgery or with recurrent tumors.[ 12 ]

We report a case of a large intrapulmonary schwannoma, adding a review of the current literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A previously healthy 20-year-old female patient presented at the emergency department with 4 days history of concurrent severe right-sided pleuritic chest pain and moderate ipsilateral clavicular pain, shortness of breath on exertion, as well as combined right upper limb weakness and bilateral fingertip numbness. No other symptoms were reported. She accounted no recent travel or family history, including neurofibromatosis.

On admission, the ECG and troponins were found to be within normal limits. However, the ensuing chest X-ray (CXR) showed a large oval mass-like density in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe [ Figure 1 ].

Figure 1:

Chest X-ray showing large oval mass like density in posterior segment right upper lobe measuring up to 10.4 cm superior-inferior by 7.8 cm anterior-posterior (a) and 8.9 cm transverse (b). Other pathological findings are not seen.

The complementary CT scan of the chest with contrast showed a low density 7.2 × 10.5 × 8.3 cm mass in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe with no nodular enhancement, potentially originating at the right T5-T6 neural foramen. A 16 mm thick right pleural effusion was also described [ Figure 2 ]. Although nonspecific, the findings suggested the presence of a peripheral nerve sheath tumor such as neurofibroma or schwannoma.

Figure 2:

Computed tomography chest pulmonary angiogram showing a low-density mass in the posterior right hemithorax with no significant eccentric or solid/nodular enhancement. The findings suggest a neoplasm arising from the right T5-6 neural foramen.

The ensuing MRI with gadolinium demonstrated a large (at least 7.2 × 9.2 × 8.5 cm) T1 isointense and a mild T2 hyperintense (heterogenic) mass relative to the muscle and within the right upper/mid posterior hemithorax. A focal contrast-enhancing protrusion of the right posterior medial aspect of the mass extending into the right T5-6 neural foramen suggested that the mass emanated from the neural foramen [ Figure 3 ]. Of note, the bronchoalveolar lavage cultures were found negative for pulmonary pathogens, including acid-fast bacilli, chlamydia, Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium avium, Nocardia, Legionella, yeast, fungus, or viruses.

Figure 3:

(a and b) Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium of the chest demonstrating a large, mildly heterogenic hyperenhancing mass within the posterior right upper/mid- hemithorax (7.2 × 9.2 × 8.5 cm) extending to the level of the right C5-6 neural foramen. T1 isointensity and mild T2 hyperintensity relative to muscle are reported. Small right pleural effusion, up to 13 mm is noted. No other pathological findings are observed.

In view of the patient’s age, concurrent symptomatology, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) of 70 (mainly due to presenting symptoms), size of the lesion, and topoanatomical constraints, we decided to remove the tumor using a right- sided posterolateral thoracotomy followed by a perilesional dissection; the mass was successfully freed from the corresponding posterior rib and transverse process. We then proceeded to follow the pedicle into the right T5-T6 foramen, ultimately achieving “en bloc” tumor resection including the proximal nerve root. No spinal fluid leak or persistent bleeding was noted; the surgical site was closed accordingly and without complications.

The microscopic examination of the collected samples demonstrated a well-circumscribed encapsulated tumor composed of interlacing fascicles of bland spindled cells with alternating areas of hyper- and hypocellularity, thick hyalinized vessels, and occasional areas of nuclear palisading (Verocay bodies). Areas of lipidized/xanthoma cells were also noted. Non-neoplastic nerve structures were found adjacent to the neoplasm. No significant atypia or mitotic activity was seen. Finally, the immunohistochemical staining proved positive for S-100 protein, SOX-10 while negative for p63, PAX-8, neurofilament, and desmin. The findings confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma [ Table 1 ].[ 9 ]

Table 1:

Pathology results.

The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit postoperatively; her evolution at the hospital proved uncomplicated with follow-up serial CXRs remaining unremarkable [ Figure 4a ]. The patient was discharged 7 days following surgery. A CT scan of the chest 1 month postsurgery showed normal findings [ Figure 4b and c ]. In view of her good prognosis, adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was deemed not necessary at this stage. The patient has remained asymptomatic since her discharge from hospital; her KPS is of 100 currently (6 months postsurgery). As expected, she remains on follow-up. Due to the low risk of recurrence after schwannoma resection, repeated CT scan will be scheduled after 12 months postsurgery.

Figure 4:

(a) Chest X-ray 24 h postsurgery; Right-sided chest tube and mediastinal drain are noted. No evidence of residual pneumothorax. A right internal jugular catheter is noted with the distal tip in the region of the right atrium. Interval resection of the previously noted right mediastinal mass. No evidence of pleural effusion. Osseous structures remain unremarkable. (b) and (c): CT chest a month postsurgery: normal findings, no evidence of recurrence.

DISCUSSION

A study of 75 peripheral nerve sheath tumor cases done in 2015 showed that among intrathoracic peripheral nerve sheath tumors, 75% of cases are found in the posterior mediastinum in association with paraspinal nerves and soft-tissue sites.[ 3 ] However, these types of tumors are exceedingly rare in the pulmonary parenchyma (<1%) and in other mediastinal components [ 3 , 21 ]. Indeed, a retrospective review of a Japanese institution’s 50 years long experience on intrathoracic neurogenic tumors (2004) showed that out of 146 cases studied, only one had lung parenchymal location.[ 21 ] Hence, lung parenchymal neurogenic tumors such as endobronchial peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rarely found. Most cases remain asymptomatic with tumors found incidentally on radiographs.[ 11 , 17 ] For symptomatic patients, fever, cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, and obstructive pneumonia are the most common symptoms.[ 11 , 17 ]

The majority of peripheral nerve sheath tumors arise sporadically, but some can be seen in the context of neurofibromatosis Types 1 and 2. In addition, most of these tumors are of benign nature and can be further subclassified as schwannoma, neurofibromas, and perineuromas.[ 3 ]

One of the key diagnostic tools used when studying these peripheral nerve sheath tumors is immunohistochemistry; as illustrated by our case, S-100 remains a common histochemical features for neurofibromas, schwannomas, perineurioma, and ganglioneuroma.[ 3 ] Other classic histological features of schwannomas are prominent palisading of tumor cell nuclei with elongated and wavy contours.[ 14 ] In contrast, neurofibromas expose a wavy pattern of neoplastic Schwann cells and fibroblasts within a collagen matrix.[ 15 ]

The imaging screening of intrathoracic peripheral nerve sheath tumors begins with a CXR; the ensuing CT scan usually describes the presence of a “well-circumscribed smooth mass.”[ 21 ] As described in [ Table 2 ], MRI studies are helpful in the identification of key signaling patterns inherent to T1- and T2-weighted series.[ 4 , 18 ]

Table 2:

General imaging characteristics of schwannomas (expected findings) versus radiographic findings in this patient case.

Complete surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment for peripheral nerve sheath tumors as it serves a diagnostic and therapeutic purpose.[ 16 ] Indeed, the rate of recurrence for surgically treated spinal schwannomas or benign peripheral nerve tumors is 5% or less; most of these evolve several years after surgery.[ 5 , 7 ]

Finally, depending on the size, location, and site of invasion of the tumor, a thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracotomy surgery (VATS) can be undertaken; the surgical indications for the aforementioned procedure can be found elsewhere.[ 6 , 21 ] In this particular patient case, VATS was not utilized given the precluding size of the tumor.

CONCLUSION

This case report shows how an oversized intrapulmonary schwannoma can remain asymptomatic for a long period of time; symptoms may rapidly evolve due to the compression of adjacent structures in a mass effect manner. In these cases, the medical literature advocates for complete surgical excision of the tumor which was achieved in our case. We believe the aforementioned strategy had a positive influence on local tumor control and survival; however, the latter needs to be confirmed by a 5 years follow-up.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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