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MULTIPLE PLEXIFORM SCHWANNOMAS OF THE HAND AND FOREARM: A 12 YEAR FOLLOW-UP



Abstract

Purpose: We present a 12 year follow up of a patient who presented with a multiple plexiform schwannoma of the median nerve with multiple recurrences, where it was possible to salvage the limb.

Patients and Methods: Multiple plexiform Schwannomas are rare nerve sheath tumours. In this case the tumour presented as a soft non-tender swelling in the palm of a child. On exploration the lesion was found to involve the median nerve from the digital nerves to the antecubital fossa. Histology confirmed a plexiform schwannoma.

The tumour was locally very aggressive with multiple recurrences initially in the median nerve and ulnar nerves and later in the nerve grafts used following excision of the primary tumour.

We present a pictorial review of the mode of presentation of the tumour; discuss different modalities used for limb salvage and the differential diagnosis of this rare tumour.

Conclusion: There are very few reports of PS involving main nerve trunks and none describe the long term follow-up. We report a twelve year follow up of a PS involving the main nerve trunks of the upper limb with salvage despite multiple recurrences. The clinical course of the tumour is presented up to the age of sixteen where the growth tumour appears to have regressed.

Correspondence should be addressed to BOOS at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN