Melanotic schwannoma of the pancreas: report of a case

Surg Today. 2004;34(6):550-3. doi: 10.1007/s00595-004-2744-2.

Abstract

We report a case of pancreatic melanotic schwannoma mimicking an epithelial cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. A 67-year-old Japanese woman underwent routine ultrasonography, which showed a large cystic mass in the head of the pancreas. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an inhomogeneous, round cystic mass, which was encapsulated, in the head of the pancreas. We performed pyrolus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy under the tentative diagnosis of a cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. The histopathologic diagnosis was benign melanotic schwannoma. The patient is now well after 43 months of follow-up. We describe the CT and MRI findings in detail, and review the literature on previously reported cases of pancreatic schwannoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / surgery*
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurilemmoma / pathology
  • Neurilemmoma / surgery*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed