A rare case of giant retroperitoneal neurilemmoma

Abstract

Neurilemmoma, also known as schwannoma or neurinoma, is a tumor that originates from neural sheath Schwann cells. Giant neurilemmomas derived from the retroperitoneum have rarely been reported. We herein describe a woman with a giant retroperitoneal neurilemmoma that was initially incorrectly diagnosed as an inflammatory abdominal mass. The tumor extended from the patient’s hypogastrium to her pelvic cavity and measured 20 × 15 × 10 cm. The tumor was excised via laparotomy and diagnosed as a retroperitoneal neurilemmoma through histological and immunohistochemical examination. Although rare, particularly in the giant form, neurilemmoma should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in patients with a retroperitoneal tumor or inflammatory abdominal mass. Complete excision should be considered for the potential cure of giant retroperitoneal neurilemmomas.

Introduction

Neurilemmoma is a type of peripheral nerve sheath soft tissue tumor that occurs as a solitary, encapsulated mass connected to adjacent tissues and organs. The most common sites are the head, neck, and flexor surfaces of the extremities.^1–3 Abdominal neurilemmomas are most commonly located in the presacral region and paravertebral space.^4–6 They occur in patients of all age groups but are most commonly found in women aged 20 to 50 years.⁷,⁸

Neurilemmomas have rarely been found in the retroperitoneal space.⁹,¹⁰ When neurilemmomas present in this location, patients are typically asymptomatic or experience only mild gastrointestinal and/or urinary symptoms.¹¹,¹² Therefore, retroperitoneal neurilemmomas can cause a diagnostic dilemma because of both their rarity and occult clinical symptoms. We herein report a rare case involving a woman with a giant asymptomatic retroperitoneal neurilemmoma that was initially misdiagnosed as an abdominal inflammatory mass.

Case history

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a giant mass in her abdomen. She had experienced intermittent abdominal discomfort and constipation for several months. The patient had no family history of neurilemmoma, schwannomatosis, or other benign or malignant tumors. Physical examination revealed a nontender lower abdominal mass. There were no typical clinical manifestations associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, such as café-au-lait macules, axillary freckling, or Lisch nodules. A biopsy had been previously performed during an exploratory laparotomy when she was admitted to another hospital with similar symptoms 3 years prior. The pathological result of the biopsy at that time suggested an inflammatory abdominal mass.

Further laboratory examination at our institution showed that the hemoglobin level, white blood cell counts, and tumor marker levels were within the reference ranges. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a 19- × 15- × 13-cm cystic mass with a regular general morphology and round to oval shape located within the hypogastrium and pelvic cavity. An abdominal computed tomography scan confirmed a capsulated cystic mass (18 × 14.5 × 14 cm) that encompassed the hypogastric region and pelvis (Figure 1(a), (b)). The patient also underwent intravenous pyelography (Figure 2), which showed left-sided hydronephrosis. Fortunately, her serum creatinine level remained within the reference range.

Figure 1.

Abdominal computed tomography revealed a capsulated cystic mass (18 × 14.5 × 14 cm) that encompassed the hypogastric region and pelvis. (a) Median sagittal section. (b) Coronal section. The mass exhibited a close relationship to the bladder, ureter, and rectum. No obvious bony destruction, defect, or resorption was seen.

Figure 2.

Intravenous pyelography showed left hydronephrosis due to the compression of the bladder and left ureter by the giant retroperitoneal mass.

A scheduled laparotomy was performed after preoperative assessment. Intraoperatively, we found a giant encapsulated tumor (20 × 15 × 10 cm) tightly bound to the sigmoid colon, mesocolon, and sacrum. The tumor received an abundant blood supply and compressed both the iliac vessels and ureters. After the lesion was separated from adjacent tissues and completely resected, we discovered that the giant tumor was close to the presacral, femoral, and genitofemoral nerves.

Macroscopically, the resected tumor contained both cystic and solid bright-yellow components. Microscopic examination revealed a neurilemmoma with hemorrhage and cystic degeneration. Postoperative gross examination of the tumor specimen revealed a smooth, capsulated mass measuring 20 × 15 × 10 cm. Hematoxylin–eosin staining showed that the solid mass consisted of a proliferation of fusiform cells that formed a palisade or turbinate pattern (Antoni A area) (Figure 3(a), (c)) in some regions. Other regions were composed of myxoid and degenerated tissue with fewer cells and a gelatinous substance (Antoni B area) (Figure 3(b), (d)). Moreover, the Ki-67 index, a cellular proliferation marker, was 15%. Immunohistologically, staining for the S-100 protein in the cytoplasm of tumor cells was positive (Figure 3(e), (f)), while smooth muscle actin, desmin, Dog-1, CD34, CD117, and neuron-specific enolase were negative. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal neurilemmoma.

Figure 3.

Histopathology of retroperitoneal neurilemmoma. The mass consisted of a proliferation of fusiform cells that formed a palisade or turbinate pattern ((a) ×10, (c) ×20) and of myxoid and degenerated tissue with cells and gelatinous substance ((b) ×10, (d) ×20). (e, f) S-100-positive cells (×20).

The patient’s postoperative treatment and recovery were uneventful. Abdominal ultrasound and laboratory tests revealed no recurrence after the operation. She was discharged 1 month postoperatively and remained asymptomatic for several months with no reported discomfort or evidence of tumor recurrence.

Discussion

Neurilemmoma, also referred to as schwannoma, neurinoma, and perineural fibroblastoma, originates from Schwann cells derived from the neuroectoderm.¹¹,¹² Most neurilemmomas occur in women and are found in peripheral nerve fibers in the flexor surfaces of the limbs, head, and neck.⁸,¹³,¹⁴ Approximately 0.3% to 3.0% are found in the retroperitoneum, accounting for 0.5% to 1.2% of all retroperitoneal tumors.^15–18

The diagnosis of a retroperitoneal neurilemmoma or schwannoma is difficult because these tumors typically become very large before causing clinical symptoms.¹⁵,¹⁹ The symptoms of neurilemmoma are nonspecific and include vague abdominal pain, dull localized pain, and discomfort,²⁰ which are often difficult to diagnose accurately. Our patient presented with atypical symptoms (discomfort and constipation); therefore, imaging techniques were needed to achieve a rapid diagnosis.

Radiological findings are fundamental in the diagnostic evaluation of retroperitoneal tumors.⁶,⁷,²¹,²² Computed tomography in our case showed a well-defined low or mixed attenuated lesion with cystic necrotic central areas. Findings of cystic change are common in retroperitoneal neurilemmomas (incidence of up to 66%).⁷,²⁰

A definitive diagnosis requires histopathological and immunohistochemical staining of conventional surgically resected specimens. Although some reports have described the use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy to diagnose retroperitoneal neurilemmomas or schwannomas,²³ this practice is controversial because of its low diagnostic accuracy and potential complications such as damage to adjacent organs and vessels. Thus, neurilemmomas in the retroperitoneal position are often misdiagnosed as neurofibromas, ganglioneuromas, paragangliomas, tumors of mesodermal origin, and retroperitoneal malignant lesions such as malignant fibrous histiocytomas, lymphoma, and liposarcomas.²⁰ Neurilemmomas consist of two histological components: small cellular lesions (Antoni type A tissues) and loose, hypocellular myxoid lesions with microcystic spaces (Antoni type B tissues). The hallmark feature of neurilemmoma is a composition of these Antoni A and B areas, with strong diffuse positivity for S-100 protein in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells (the distinct immunohistochemical feature).²⁴ As in most schwannomas, negative CD34 immunohistochemistry staining in the cytoplasm also confirmed the diagnosis in our case.

The giant neurilemmoma in our patient did not provide much adjacent space in the retroperitoneum. Consequently, the patient underwent another invasive procedure because of the unclear primary pathologic diagnosis. A well-planned preoperative examination was necessary to eliminate the risk of inadequate excision and/or damage to adjacent structures. With respect to the surgical approach, surgeons should have a thorough understanding of the anatomical structures of adjacent organs and accompanying vessels.²⁵,²⁶ Considering the heterogeneous appearance on imaging and risk of recurrence, en bloc radical excision of the mass is usually recommended.²⁷ Although complete excision of a giant neoplasm is challenging and has a risk of complications, it is vital to prevent tumor recurrence or malignant transformation after complete tumor resection by laparoscopic or open surgery.

Conclusion

Retroperitoneal giant neurilemmomas are rare. These lesions can be misdiagnosed as other cystic or solid neoplasms. Complete excision should be considered as the primary treatment. Because of numerous diagnostic and therapeutic issues, the successful treatment of neurilemmomas requires detailed preoperative planning and a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, an initial diagnosis of retroperitoneal neurilemmoma is critical for a favorable prognosis.

Declaration of conflicting interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethics and consent

Our hospital ethics committee authorized the publication of this case report (ethical approval number: IRB2019-WZ-132), and informed consent was received from the patient and her family. This case did not involve the use of human subjects or non-routine procedures. All imaging examinations and preoperative and post-operative treatments were in compliance with ethical requirements.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

ORCID iDs

Chao Gao https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9083-6706

Feng Qi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5490-0985