Laparoscopic resection of a retroperitoneal schwannoma

Surg Endosc. 2003 Mar;17(3):520. doi: 10.1007/s00464-002-4251-0. Epub 2002 Dec 20.

Abstract

We report a case of a successfully resected retroperitoneal benign schwannoma using laparoscopic surgery. A 62-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic retroperitoneal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a solid tumor compressing the inferior vena cava (IVC). First, we performed an intraoperative biopsy analysis, which revealed a benign neurologic tumor. We then proceeded with the complete laparoscopic resection of the tumor. Pathology revealed a benign schwannoma 8 x 5 cm in size. To our knowledge, only three other cases of the laparoscopic resection of retroperitoneal schwannoma have been reported. In our case, despite the large size of the tumor and the high level of compression of the IVC, a totally laparoscopic resection was feasible.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurilemmoma / pathology
  • Neurilemmoma / surgery*
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Time Factors