A Case of Schwannoma of the Nasal Cavity Mimicking Olfactory Neuroblastoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Schwannoma is a benign, slowly growing nerve sheath tumor which can arise from any peripheral nerve containing schwann cells. The olfactory and optic nerves, the extentions of the central nerve system, are encased by glial cells and they lack of schwann cells. They do not give rise to schwannomas in the head and neck area. Therefore, it is generally known that schwannomas seldom occur in the nasal cavity occupied by the olfactory nerve. We have experienced a tumor that developed in the upper nasal cavity including the olfactory cleft and ethmoid sinus. Based on the location of tumor development, we initially diagnosed it as an olfactory neuroblastoma, and its biopsy results reported the tumor to be a schwannoma in the nasal cavity. The tumor was completely removed through craniofacial resection. We herein report a case of an olfactory schwannoma with a brief review of the literature in order to alert other clinicians to this rare tumor to expedite appropriate management.