Retrospective Analysis of 20 Patients Affected by Schwannomas in the Upper and Lower Limbs / Análise retrospectiva de 20 pacientes acometidos por schwannoma nos membros superior e inferior

Abstract Objective To analyze the epidemiological profile and evolution of 20 patients diagnosed with upper- and lower-limb schwannomas. Methods A group of patients was defined for a retrospective evaluation comprising the period between February 2002 and June 2018, in which we studied and evaluated 20 medical records of patients undergoing surgery due to schwannoma; the diagnosis was confirmed by an anatomopathological examination. Results Male and female patients were equally affected. The average age was 50.85 years, ranging from 12 to 77 years. There was a predominance of the upper limb and of the flexor face. The most affected nerve was the ulnar nerve. In total, 6 (30%) patients had transient postoperative complications. No cases of tumor recurrence were identified. Conclusion Schwannoma is a rare and difficult-to-diagnose lesion. It should always be considered as a hypothesis when facing a soft-tissue tumor affecting the limbs. The Tinel sign should be regarded, given its higher correlation with complications. The patients should be informed of the possible postoperative complications, which are frequent but usually transient.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o perfil epidemiológico e a evolução de 20 pacientes diagnosticados com schwannoma nos membros superiores e inferiores. Métodos Definiu-se um grupo de pacientes para avaliação retrospectiva, compreendendo o período entre fevereiro de 2002 e junho de 2018, no qual foram estudados e avaliados 20 prontuários de pacientes submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico devido a schwannoma; a confirmação diagnóstica foi feita pelo exame anatomopatológico. Resultados Tanto os pacientes do sexo masculino quanto do feminino foram igualmente acometidos, e a média de idade foi de 50,85 anos, variando de 12 a 77 anos. Houve predomínio do membro superior e da face flexora. O nervo mais acometido foi o ulnar, e 6 (30%) pacientes apresentaram complicações pós-operatórias transitórias. Não foi identificado nenhum caso de recidiva tumoral. Conclusão O schwannoma é uma lesão rara e de difícil diagnóstico. Deve sempre ser considerada como hipótese quando se estiver diante de um tumor de partes moles acometendo os membros. O sinal de Tinel deve ser levado em consideração por conta de sua maior correlação com as complicações. Os pacientes devem ser informados quanto às possíveis complicações pós-operatórias, que são frequentes, mas, geralmente, transitórias.

Epidemiology and Estimated Cost of Microsurgical Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Tumor Conducted by the Brazilian Unified Health Care System (2008­2016)

Introduction Primary nerve tumors correspond to 5% of the soft tissue neoplasms affecting the upper limbs, with benign lesions being more frequent than malignant lesions. Objective To describe the epidemiological data of the microsurgical treatment of peripheral nerve tumors performed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym), with the code 0403020131, from 2008 to 2016, regarding the number of annual procedures, hospital and professional expenses, the average duration of hospital stay, and the number of deaths. Methods This is a descriptive epidemiological study whose data were obtained by consulting the database provided by the Health Informatics Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (DATASUS, in the Portuguese acronym). Results/Discussion A total of 6,012 procedures were performed during the period studied, with an average of 688 procedures per year. The average hospital stay was of 2.13 days. There was nomortality rate. The average annual cost of the professional was BRL 50,091.45; and the average hospital expenses were BRL111,887.94. Conclusion The microsurgical treatment of peripheral nerve tumors is a safe surgical procedure with zero mortality rate and short hospital stay. There was no national data on tumors of this nature in the medical literature.