Pediatric Schwannoma

  • Etiology: Benign tumor of Schwann cells
  • Imaging MRI:
    — T1WI: Isointense or hypointense
    — T2WI: Hyperintense
    — T1WI post contrast: Enhance intensely
  • DDX:
  • Complications: Rarely undergo malignant change
  • Treatment: Surgical
  • Clinical:
    — Most common tumor of peripheral nerves
    — Presents with symptoms due to mass effect or dysfunction of nerve they arise from

Radiology Cases of Schwannoma

MRI of schwannoma of the thoracic spine
AXR AP (above left) shows an incidental semi-circular left paraspinal mass next to the T10-T11 vertebral bodies. Axial T1 MRI without contrast of the thoracic spine (below left) shows an isointense round mass just to the left of the vertebral body. On axial T2 MRI (below center) the mass is hyperintense and on axial T1 MRI with contrast (below right) the mass enhances avidly and homogeneously. There was no spinal extension of the mass. On coronal T1 MRI with contrast (above right) the mass is again seen to be next to the T10-T11 vertebral bodies.