Benign Sacral Schwannoma. Radiological Case

Abstract

Introduction: Schwannomas are tumors composed of Schwann cells of the sheath of nerves and their most usual location is in the head, neck and trunk. Sacral compartment tumors are relatively rare. 

Objective: To demonstrate the key role that the correct imaging interpretation plays in the process of patient care with presumptive pelvic mass Schwannomas.  

Case presentation: We present the case of a 29-year-old male patient with a history of having been operated 2 years ago in another health institution by presenting a pelvic retroperitoneal mass, which was detected during clinical diagnosis. Its origin was not conclusive after performing the initial studies. New imaging exams that included a computerized axial tomography and a magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a mass located in the left pre-sacral area in direct contact with the second sacral hole, were then carried out in the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Havana. Several weeks later, the patient underwent surgery with successful results. The pathological anatomy report confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a benign Schwannoma.

Conclusions: Schwannomas exceptionally manifest as pelvic masses, as in the case reported here in which a retroperitoneal liposarcoma was initially diagnosed, but it was then confirmed as a benign retroperitoneal sacral Schwannoma with the appropriate interpretation of diagnostic imaging techniques.