Primary microcystic/reticular schwannoma of the frontal bone: illustrative case

Xuemiao Zhao; Xinmu Zhou; Xiao Chen; Junqiao Pan; Bingrong Li

doi:10.3171/CASE21175

Primary microcystic/reticular schwannoma of the frontal bone: illustrative case

J Neurosurg Case Lessons. 2021 Jun 21;1(25):CASE21175. doi: 10.3171/CASE21175.

Authors

Xuemiao Zhao¹, Xinmu Zhou², Xiao Chen¹, Junqiao Pan¹, Bingrong Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Departments of Radiology and.
² Pathology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China.

Abstract

Background: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma arising in the frontal bone.

Observations: An 18-year-old man presented to the authors' orthopedic clinic with a complaint of a progressively enlarging, painless mass in the frontal bone. It showed significant hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging with progressive enhancement. Computed tomography combined with three-dimensional reconstruction showed expansive bone destruction with a soft tissue mass in the left side of the frontal bone, without calcification inside or a sclerotic margin around it. The mass was a microcystic/reticular schwannoma as confirmed by surgical pathology.

Lessons: The authors report a rare case of a microcystic/reticular schwannoma arising in the frontal bone, with relatively comprehensive imaging data that enabled them to learn more about this tumor.

Keywords: CA = carbohydrate antigen; CT = computed tomography; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; T1WI = T1-weighted imaging; T2WI = T2-weighted imaging; case report; computer tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; schwannoma; tomography.

Publication types

Case Reports