Atypical Presentation of Sinonasal Cellular Schwannoma: A Nonsolitary Mass with Osseous, Orbital, and Intracranial Invasion

• Main Authors: John Gencarelli, Ryan Rourke, Tracey Ross, Denis H. Gravel, Bibianna Purgina, David Jordan, Charles Agbi, Shaun J. Kilty
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2014-06-01
• Series: Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports
• Subjects: cellular schwannoma; nasal cavity; sinuses; paranasal; intracranial
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0034-1376424

Abstract Objective Sinonasal cellular schwannoma represents < 4% of head and neck schwannomas. These benign tumors are typically confined to the nasal cavity or ethmoid sinus. We describe an atypical case of sinonasal cellular schwannoma with diffuse paranasal sinus involvement and both intraorbital and intracranial extension. Results A 62-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of right orbital proptosis and right-sided headache. Subsequent imaging revealed an invasive paranasal sinus mass extending through the skull base and displacing the right orbit. Preoperative biopsies were not diagnostic but revealed a spindle cell lesion suspicious for malignancy based on lack of encapsulation, infiltration of the sinonasal submucosa, and osseous invasion. The patient underwent open skull base surgery, and pathology confirmed a S100-positive nonencapsulated cellular schwannoma. Conclusion An atypical case of sinonasal cellular schwannoma with intracranial extension is reported. Its presentation is contrary to the common view that these are isolated solitary lesions of the nasoethmoid region. We suggest that sinonasal cellular schwannoma be considered in the differential diagnosis of a poorly defined invasive paranasal sinus mass, particularly following biopsy.