Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2016 , Vol 26 , Num - Ek
Histopathology of Schwannomas
Özlem YAPICIER1, Süheyla EKEMEN2
1Acıbadem Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Patoloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Acıbadem Hastaneleri, Patoloji Laboratuvarı, İstanbul, Türkiye
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors in which schwannoma and neurofibroma are the most frequent are classified based on resemblance of the neoplastic cells to their originating normal nerve sheath cells. Schwannomas, one of the most common type of peripheral nerve sheath tumors show much diversity in morphology, clinical behavior, and associated clinical settings. This diversity is not infrequently cause misdiagnosis. Therefore, according to this aspect of the schwannoma variants, the following situations are likely to be encountered: 1. Conventional schwannoma: Although histomorphologically it is a benign tumor, it may mimic a malignant tumor by causing destruction in nearby bone tissue. 2. Cellular schwannoma: Hypercellular features of this variant may cause this tumor to be confused with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). 3. Plexiform schwannoma: When occuring in children, it might be misdiagnosed with other tumors of childhood as well as with MPNST particularly for cellular forms of this tumor. 4. Melanotic schwannoma: It can commonly mistaken with melanomas because of melanin pigment consistency of this variant. In this article, four major schwannoma variants were discussed by taking into account of their clinicopathological features and differential diagnoses. Anahtar Kelimeler : Schwannoma, Histopathology, Differential diagnosis