Background: Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare, benign tumors. The aim of this study is to present our surgical experience with 7 such tumors.
Methods: Between 1989 and 2004, 7 patients with pathologically proven retroperitoneal schwannomas were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: There were 6 male patients and 1 female patient, with a mean age of 43 years (range, 23 to 58 years). Two patients were symptomatic and presented with abdominal discomfort, and none of the patients suffered from von Recklinghausen's disease. All the patients underwent computed tomography scanning, which showed a heterogenous retroperitoneal mass, 4 of which were thought to arise from the adrenals. In 2 patients, calcification was seen in the tumors. All 7 of the patients had a preoperative diagnosis of a retroperitoneal tumor including 3 patients who were thought to have adrenal neoplasms (1 patient had a diagnosis of an adrenal neoplasm excluded on magnetic resonance imaging). Laparotomy and complete excision of tumors were performed in all the patients, and there was no morbidity or mortality. The schwannomas had a mean maximum diameter of 7.3 cm (range, 4 to 14 cm), and they were all benign. At a mean follow-up of 17 months (range, 3 to 48 months) postresection, all the patients remained free from recurrence.
Conclusion: Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Radiologic findings are usually nondiagnostic. The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision.