Abdominal Wall Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Abdominal wall schwannomas are rare neoplasms originating from peripheral nerve sheaths. We present a case report of a 21-year-old patient with a ten-year history of a subcutaneous mass on the left flank of the abdomen. The mass exhibited a hard consistency and was adherent to the deep plane. Palpation elicited pain, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) initially suggested a dermoid cyst in intimate contact with the external oblique muscle. The patient underwent wide excision of the mass with a 2 cm margin and subsequent closure of the resulting muscle and aponeurotic defect by direct suturing. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a completely excised subcutaneous schwannoma. This case emphasizes the importance of considering schwannomas as a differential diagnosis for abdominal wall masses and highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing abdominal wall schwannomas. By presenting a comprehensive review of the literature, we aim to contribute to the existing knowledge of this rare entity, facilitating early recognition and appropriate management of abdominal wall schwannomas in clinical practice.