Sciatica in a patient with unusual peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Sciatic Schwannoma-Rare Cause of Sciatica: A Case Report

“…They are usually solitary lesions, but multiple lesions can be seen [4]. Multiple schwannomas can be found in patients with neurofibromatosis type II [4]. Our patient did not have the physical examination characteristics of neurofibromatosis type II.…”

“…Ghaly et al reported a posterior tibial nerve schwannoma case who had been misdiagnosed as psychosomatic disorder for 10 years [6], and also there are other case reports which exists mid thigh sciatic nerve which mimicks plantar neuropathy foot pain [4]. Therefore steps of the physical examination must be done before making the diagnosis [4]. In our case diagnosis of the lesion at the sciatic nerve was made by palpation and Tinnel test.…”

“…The peripheral nerve tumors are usually benign lesions. The most common benign peripheral nerve tumors are schwannomas, which arise from the schwann cells of peripheral nerves [4][5][6]. One of the uncommon origins of the schwannomas is sciatic nerves, and they are more common at the females who are in the second to fifth decades [4].…”

“…The schwannomas are histological comprised of densely packed spindle cells as in Antoni type A or more loosely textured stroma as in Antoni type B. They are usually solitary lesions, but multiple lesions can be seen [4]. Multiple schwannomas can be found in patients with neurofibromatosis type II [4].…”

“…The clinical presentation of the lesions can be misdiagnosed, and there may be a difficulty of differential diagnosis between discogenic and non-discogenic causes [4]. Ghaly et al reported a posterior tibial nerve schwannoma case who had been misdiagnosed as psychosomatic disorder for 10 years [6], and also there are other case reports which exists mid thigh sciatic nerve which mimicks plantar neuropathy foot pain [4]. Therefore steps of the physical examination must be done before making the diagnosis [4].…”