Giant schwannoma on the lower leg: A case report and review of the literature

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are common neoplasm with different biological features ranging from benign to malignant. The majority of these tumors are smaller than 5 cm, whereas those larger are termed giant schwannomas. When localized in the lower legs, the maximum length of the schwannoma is less than 10 cm. We report a case of giant schwannoma of the leg and its management. A 11-year-old boy presented with a 13 cm × 5 cm firm, smooth, well-defined margin mass in the posterior-medial aspect of right leg. The tumor was fusiform, well capsulated, multi-lobulated soft tissue with 13 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm in size at the biggest region. On MRI the tumor was low signal, isointense with adjacent tissue on T1S, hyper-intense on T2-FS sequences and surrounded by a thin fat-like intense rim. Biopsy findings were considered most consistent with Schwannoma (Antoni A). Tumor resection was performed. The mass appeared capsulated, white, and glistening with 132 mm × 45 mm × 34 mm in size. Postoperative course was uneventful without neurological deficit. Schwannomas are the most common peripheral nerve sheath tumors that derived almost entirely from Schwann cells. Schwannomas usually affect the head and neck region, localization in the lower extremity is rare. When located in lower extremity, the maximum diameter of 5 cm is described in most studies. Clinical presentation of schwannomas is unclear and unspecific. Diagnosis is based on ultrasound, MRI, and histology. The recommended treatment for schwannoma is surgical enucleation or resection without damaging the involved nerve.