Challenging Diagnosis: Unmasking the Enigma of Imaging Findings with Lung Schwannomas

Cancer Manag Res. 2023 Nov 27:15:1343-1347. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S441736. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Schwannomas are benign slow-growing tumors arising from the embryonic neural crest cells of the nerve sheaths of peripheral and cranial nerves, and they are a rare type of soft tissue mass that is usually always solitary. Generally, it grows in the head, neck, and flexor portions of the limbs, where many nerves are located. Schwannomas of the lung are extremely rare. Fewer than ten cases of schwannomas in this organ region have been reported in the existing literature. In this case report, a 40-year-old male non-smoker was hospitalized with occasional chest pain. His chest computed tomographic scan revealed a 3.8 cm space occupying lesion in the upper lobe of the right lung. This lesion has clear boundaries and uneven internal density. And it was concluded as a benign lesion possibility, it is preferred to be considered as a haematoma. This space occupying lesion was eventually confirmed as a schwannoma by needle biopsy tissues. Due to the presence in rare locations, such as the lung, the clinical presentation of this space occupying lesion is non-specific, making diagnosis difficult. The data presented in this case report can help clinicians to obtain information on the identification of this disease, which highlighted lung schwannoma as a differential diagnosis for patients with intermittent pain. It can also alert clinicians and radiologists to observe every detail of the radiology imaging findings.

Keywords: diagnosis; lung cancer; schwannoma; solitary pulmonary nodule; thoracic radiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

Grants and funding

This study was not supported by any external funds.