J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2011 Jul;38(4):494-497.

Compression of the Superficial Radial Nerve by Schwannoma: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Seoul, Korea. kchann@hanmail.net

Abstract

PURPOSE
Schwannoma, a benign peripheral nerve tumor, is slow-growing, encapsulated neoplasm that originates from the Schwann cell of the nerve sheath. Schwannoma most frequently involves the major nerve. Schwannoma occurring in the superficial radial nerve rare. This is a report of our experience with schwannoma arising from the superficial radial nerve with neurologic symptom.
METHODS
A 55-year-old woman presented with eight-month history of progressive numbness and paresthesia in dorsum of the thumb and index finger. Physical examination revealed a localized mass on the midforearm. Sonographic examination showed an ovoid, heterogenous, hypoechoic lesion, located eccentrically in related to the superficial radial nerve. The lesion was mobile in the transverse but not in the longitudinal axis of the nerve, which was thought to favour schwannoma rather than neurofibroma. At operation, a 20 x 15 mm ovoid, yellowish grey mass was seen arising from the superficial radial nerve. The tumor present as eccentric masses over which the nerve fibers are splayed. Using operating microscope, the tumor was removed, preserving the surrounding nerve.
RESULTS
Histology confirmed that the mass was a benign schwannoma. There were no postoperative complications. After two months the patient had no clinically demonstrable sensory deficit.
CONCLUSION
An unsusual case of a schwannoma of the superficial radial nerve is presented. In case with neurologic symptom, prompt surgical decompression must be made to prevent further nerve damage and to restore nerve function early.

Keyword

Schwannoma; Superficial radial nerve

MeSH Terms

Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Decompression, Surgical
Female
Fingers
Humans
Hypesthesia
Middle Aged
Nerve Fibers
Neurilemmoma
Neurofibroma
Neurologic Manifestations
Paresthesia
Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms
Physical Examination
Postoperative Complications
Radial Nerve
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