Rare multiple schwannomas of the left upper extremity: A case report

Chen,Huan; Yao,Xiguan; Wang,Peigeng; Xu,Yude; Yao,Yicun; Yang,Weichao; Liu,Yiming; Luo,Wei; Tan,Yong; Lin,Jinzhi; Leng,Lei; Miao,Haixiong; Ye,Dongping

doi:10.3892/ol.2025.14952

Rare multiple schwannomas of the left upper extremity: A case report

Authors:
- Huan Chen
- Xiguan Yao
- Peigeng Wang
- Yude Xu
- Yicun Yao
- Weichao Yang
- Yiming Liu
- Wei Luo
- Yong Tan
- Jinzhi Lin
- Lei Leng
- Haixiong Miao
- Dongping Ye
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Affiliations: Department of Orthopedics, The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, Qian Xi Nan People's Hospital, Xingyi, Guizhou 562400, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, The People's Hospital of Anshun, Anshun, Guizhou 561000, P.R. China, Department of Pain Medicine, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510220, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510220, P.R. China, Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510220, P.R. China, Department of Orthopedics, The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
Published online on: March 4, 2025 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14952
Article Number: 205
Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Schwannomas are rare benign neoplasms originating from Schwann cells of peripheral nerve sheaths. The current study presents a distinctive case involving multiple schwannomas along the peripheral nerves of the left upper extremity. The patient exhibited multiple gradually enlarging subcutaneous masses distributed along the nerves of the left upper limb, without pain, neurological deficits or a positive Tinel's sign upon physical examination. Preoperative diagnostic imaging, including high‑resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed well‑circumscribed, homogeneous soft‑tissue masses with characteristic features. Despite these findings, imaging modalities demonstrated limited specificity in conclusively differentiating the upper extremity tumors from other soft‑tissue neoplasms. Surgical exploration conducted under general anesthesia identified three encapsulated masses with focal capsular discontinuities, adherent to surrounding skeletal muscle and the median nerve. The masses measured 6x5x3, 5x4x3.5 and 5x3.5x3 cm from proximal to distal, respectively. Complete surgical excision was performed with meticulous preservation of adjacent neurovascular structures. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of schwannomas. This report also provides an extensive review of the literature addressing the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies for peripheral nerve schwannomas, contributing to a deeper understanding of this rare neurogenic tumor and aiding in its effective clinical management.

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