Schwannoma of the adrenal gland

• Main Authors: Anunayi Jeshtadi, Neelima Govada, Shrinivas B. Somalwar, Soumya Nagulapally
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Deccan College of Medical Sciences 2014-07-01
• Series: Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences
• Subjects: adrenal gland; immunohistochemistry; S-100; schwannoma
• Online Access: http://jmas.in/Vol4Issue2/Schwannoma%20of%20the%20adrenal%20gland.pdf
• ISSN: 2231-1696; 2231-170X

Visceral schwannomas are extremely rare and are usually discov-ered incidentally on USG/CT-Scan. Primary schwannomas of the adrenal gland are extremely uncommon. It has been theorized that they originate from Schwann cells that insulate the nerve fi-bers innervating the adrenal medulla. Histopathological examina-tion coupled with immunohistochemistry provides the definitive diagnosis. A 55 year old normotensive female presented with pain in the right loin since 5 months. Her renal parameters were normal. Contrast enhanced computed tomography of abdomen showed a well delineated 6.5 x 5cms mass at upper pole of her right kidney. 24-hour urinary metanephrine was slightly elevated (3.07mg/24hrs). A decline in Serum cortisol levels was observed following a dexamethasone suppression test (18.89nmol/l). Histopathological examination revealed a spindle cell tumor. Immunohistochemistry showed strong and diffuse positive staining for S-100 with negative expression for CD-117, desmin, CD-34, HMB-45, synaptophysin, chromogranin, cytokeratin, and SMA. Ki-67 index was 2%.A diagnosis of cellular schwannoma of adrenal gland was confirmed.