Multiple Retroperitoneal Schwannomas with Cystic Degeneration Masquerading as Disseminated Hydatid Cysts: Case Report

Abstract

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors arising from differentiated Schwann cells. Common location is head & neck region, they are generally solitary. Retroperitoneal schwannomas are relatively rare accounting for 0.3 - 3.2% of benign schwannomas. Multiple schwannomas in the retroperitoneal region are extremely rare with only 4 cases reported till date. Pre-operative diagnosis of retroperitoneal schwannomas is difficult because they remain asymptomatic and also because they have a tendency to undergo cystic degeneration causing confusion in imaging studies. We present a case of 45 year old lady operated with provisional diagnosis of disseminated retroperitoneal hydatid cysts, which after histopathological examination was confirmed to be a case of multiple retroperitoneal schwannomas.