Surgical treatment of a presacral schwannoma: A case report.

Introduction and importance: Schwannomas are rare benign tumors that develop from Schwann cells that represent 0.3 to 0.4 cases per 100,000 persons per year. We report a case of pre-sacral schwannoma, a rare tumor, especially in the pelvic area. This case comes to help further teams in their management as its scarcity made any attempt to make proper recommendations obsolete. Case presentation: a 53-year-old otherwise healthy woman who presented with a 2-year history of right-sided sciatica. The radiologic characteristics of the mass suggested presacral schwannoma type III of the Klimo classification as the most possible diagnosis.Therefore, surgical resection was decided, and an anterior approach was chosen. By laparotomy a 6cm retroperitoneal encapsulated mass with no invasion of the adjacent organs. We performed a digital enucleation of the tumor through a capsulotomy.Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma. There were no features of malignancy. The post-operative period was uneventful. A follow-up examination at 6 months showed no signs of numbness or weakness in the right leg. The previously described pain totally regressed. Discussion: Although schwannoma is a benign lesion, it may become malignant, especially when associated with neurofibromatosis making its surgical removal primordial. Its pelvic location may make its diagnosis delayed due to non-specific symptoms mainly through compression of local organs. Its surgical management can be challenging due to large size tumors with adherence to peritoneal and retroperitoneal organs. Quality of the resection is important in the recurrence and necessity for reoperation. A multidisciplinary approach is therefore recommended to ensure optimal treatment. Conclusion: Due to its rareness, there is no clear consensus in on the management of schwannomas therefore we chose to write our case in order to further enrich the literature to achieve one-day guidelines for schwannoma treatment.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis presenting as a cystic mass: a rare case report.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis may, rarely, occur as a renal cystic mass. We report a case report of a 50-year-old with a history of medically treated renal lithiasis, who consults for left low back pain. Imaging findings concluded to a Bosniak type-3 hemorrhagic cystic mass of the left kidney. The diagnosis of xanthogranumolatous pyelonephritis on its focal form was made histologically. The diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is often difficult even with surgical findings and frequently a histological surprise. This points out the importance of identifying it in pre-operative staging; the diagnosis may be suggested by the association of chronic pyelonephritis, renal stones and hypovascular renal tumor syndrome without specificity at sonography and CT.

Primary duodenal tuberculosis complicated with perforation: A review of literature and case report.

Tuberculous (TB) disease remains an endemic pathology in Tunisia. the ileocecal region is the predominant site of involvement while gastroduodenal tuberculosis is very rare, this form is often presenting as one of the complications, mainly upper gastrointestinal stenosis or exceptionally as a perforation. We describe a case of female patient aged 33 years-old presented with a 2-day history of acute abdominal pain, with a tenderness of the right hypochondrium and the epigastrium, ultrasound of the abdomen revealed gallbladder distension with a wall thickening. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was suspected and the patient had an exploratory laparoscopy that revealed the presence of a perforated duodenal ulcer which was blocked by the gallbladder and several peri-duodenal lymph nodes. Cholecystectomy was performed and the edges of the ulcer were resected and the ulcer was sutured. Histological examination revealed duodenal tuberculosis and the patient was referred to the TB eradication program.

Hemangiopericytoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

Primary meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare, aggressive dura based tumor that remarkably mimics a meningioma clinically and radiologically. Its occurrence within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is exceptional, and establishing the exact diagnosis is of the utmost importance since total resection remains the cornerstone of treatment. A 42-year-old man presented with a three-month history of progressively worsening vertigo and difficulty in walking. On admission, his neurological examination revealed a right peripheral facial palsy, right abducens palsy and left hemiparesis, suggesting the diagnosis of Millard-Gubler syndrome. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a homogeneously enhancing dura based lesion of the right CPA causing major brain stem compression. There was no widening of the ipsilateral internal auditory canal. A standard retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed to access the right CPA. Exposure of the lesion revealed a well-encapsulated, gray, fibrous lesion, which appeared to originate from the tentorium. Gross total resection was achieved and confirmed radiologically. The microscopic features and the immunohistochemical profile confirmed the diagnosis of a HPC, and adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. Ten years later, the patient presented with a severe neurological deficit due to a local recurrence, but at that time refused any second intervention. He died three months later. HPC can locate within the CPA and present as a Millard-Gubler syndrome. The diagnosis should be kept in mind in case of a CPA dura based tumor. Radical surgery plus radiation therapy can maximize the recurrence-free survival and close follow-up remains mandatory to spot recurrences early.

Hemangiopericytoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Primary meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare, aggressive dura based tumor that remarkably mimics a meningioma clinically and radiologically. Its occurrence within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is exceptional, and establishing the exact diagnosis is of the utmost importance since total resection remains the cornerstone of treatment. A 42-year-old man presented with a three-month history of progressively worsening vertigo and difficulty in walking. On admission, his neurological examination revealed a right peripheral facial palsy, right abducens palsy and left hemiparesis, suggesting the diagnosis of Millard-Gubler syndrome. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a homogeneously enhancing dura based lesion of the right CPA causing major brain stem compression. There was no widening of the ipsilateral internal auditory canal. A standard retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed to access the right CPA. Exposure of the lesion revealed a well-encapsulated, gray, fibrous lesion, which appeared to originate from the tentorium. Gross total resection was achieved and confirmed radiologically. The microscopic features and the immunohistochemical profile confirmed the diagnosis of a HPC, and adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. Ten years later, the patient presented with a severe neurological deficit due to a local recurrence, but at that time refused any second intervention. He died three months later. HPC can locate within the CPA and present as a Millard-Gubler syndrome. The diagnosis should be kept in mind in case of a CPA dura based tumor. Radical surgery plus radiation therapy can maximize the recurrence-free survival and close follow-up remains mandatory to spot recurrences early.

Hemangiopericytoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Primary meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare, aggressive dura based tumor that remarkably mimics a meningioma clinically and radiologically. Its occurrence within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is exceptional, and establishing the exact diagnosis is of the utmost importance since total resection remains the cornerstone of treatment. A 42-year-old man presented with a three-month history of progressively worsening vertigo and difficulty in walking. On admission, his neurological examination revealed a right peripheral facial palsy, right abducens palsy and left hemiparesis, suggesting the diagnosis of Millard-Gubler syndrome. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a homogeneously enhancing dura based lesion of the right CPA causing major brain stem compression. There was no widening of the ipsilateral internal auditory canal. A standard retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed to access the right CPA. Exposure of the lesion revealed a well-encapsulated, gray, fibrous lesion, which appeared to originate from the tentorium. Gross total resection was achieved and confirmed radiologically. The microscopic features and the immunohistochemical profile confirmed the diagnosis of a HPC, and adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. Ten years later, the patient presented with a severe neurological deficit due to a local recurrence, but at that time refused any second intervention. He died three months later. HPC can locate within the CPA and present as a Millard-Gubler syndrome. The diagnosis should be kept in mind in case of a CPA dura based tumor. Radical surgery plus radiation therapy can maximize the recurrence-free survival and close follow-up remains mandatory to spot recurrences early.