Retroperitoneal schwannoma and challenges for preoperative diagnosis: A case report

Abstract

Schwannomas are rare neoplasms with non-specific clinical features which may render diagnosis difficult. Ideally, complete surgical excision is preferred, as malignant schwannoma lacks sensitivity to chemo and radiotherapy. We report a 40-year-old female who was referred to our tertiary referral hospital for ultrasound-guided biopsy of a non-palpable left pelvic mass with normal tumour markers and previous history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who completed 10 cycles of chemotherapy, with follow-up revealed no bone marrow infiltration by the primary disease. Serial computed tomography suggested retroperitoneal mass while her magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis revealed a well-encapsulated multiloculated solid cystic mass. The definitive diagnosis was only