Intraocular schwannoma

Surv Ophthalmol. 2013 Jan-Feb;58(1):77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2012.04.003. Epub 2012 Sep 14.

Abstract

Schwannoma is a proliferation of neoplastic Schwann cells. Whereas schwannomas of the head and neck region are common, intraocular tissues are rarely affected. Uveal schwannoma has been aptly called a "pseudomelanoma", reflecting the difficulty in its clinical distinction from uveal malignant melanoma. Most of our current knowledge on intraocular schwannoma is limited to case reports, short case series, and non-comprehensive literature reviews. Three isolated reports of uveal schwannoma with extrascleral extension exist in literature, but the prognostic significance of this growth pattern is unknown. We present a patient with choroidal schwannoma with extrascleral extension and review 46 previously reported cases of uveal schwannomas to delineate clinical and pathologic characteristics of these intraocular tumors with a specific emphasis on schwannoma with extraocular extension.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Choroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Eye Enucleation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurilemmoma / pathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Scleral Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Scleral Diseases / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor