Reticular/microcystic schwannoma is a recently described rare distinctive variant of schwannoma with a predilection for gastrointestinal tract. Its occurrence in soft tissue is extremely rare. We report a case of reticular/microcystic variant of schwannoma in a 55-year-old Indian woman who presented with a painless slow-growing swelling in the right forearm for the past 6 months. MRI findings suggested myxoid sarcoma. However, histological and immunohistochemical findings in the excised specimen were consistent with reticular/microcystic variant of schwannoma. This case report emphasises that the diagnosis of reticular/microcystic schwannoma should always be considered in cases where myxoid sarcomas are suspected as it can mimic malignant myxoid sarcomas, clinically and radiologically, thereby avoiding aggressive intervention and overtreatment.
Background
Retroperitoneal nodal metastasis in a primary testicular tumor is not uncommon and usually presents as solid or solid-cystic nodal masses. A completely cystic appearance with fluid attenuation or fluid signal intensity on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively, is an uncommon presentation. There are many case reports of different types of cystic retroperitoneal masses; however, to our knowledge, metastatic retroperitoneal cystic masses showing fluid attenuation/fluid signal intensity on CT/ MRI secondary to primary testicular seminoma masquerading as cystic lymphangioma has been rarely reported in the medical literature. Our case report reports a case of a metastatic retroperitoneal cystic mass in a known case of testicular seminoma patient, which was misdiagnosed as cystic lymphangioma initially based on imaging.
Case presentation
A 55-year-old—patient presented to our hospital with abdominal pain, which was on and off in character. The patient underwent routine ultrasound abdomen, CT and MRI, which revealed multiple cystic lesions in the retroperitoneum. Initially, a provisional diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma was made based on the utterly cystic nature of the lesion and the presence of calcification. However, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) confirmed the metastatic origin of the lesion and was strengthened by the previous clinical history of orchidectomy.
Conclusion
The treatment strategy for cystic retroperitoneal masses varies depending on the cause and its nature, so differentiation between the cystic masses is essential. Metastasis should also be kept in the differentials in all cystic retroperitoneal masses. Moreover, clinical history and FNAC can assist in making the correct diagnosis.
Hydatid disease is a rare pathology, but relatively common in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Africa. It may develop in almost any part of the body, although most hydatid cysts occur in the liver or in the lung. Bone involvement is rare, and accounts for only 0.5% to 4% of all locations. Most of the hydatid cyst are diagnosed on the basis of their clinical and radiological presentation. However, in cases with an atypical presentation, FNAC may be used to evaluate the nature of lesion.
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