Schwannomas (also known as neurilemomas) are benign tumors that arise from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. While they seldom occur in the oral cavity, the tongue is the most common site. Palatal schwannomas are extremely rare. This article reports a case of a large, slowly developing schwannoma that caused bone erosion in the hard palate of an 18-year-old man. The diagnosis was based on histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings. The tumor was completely excised, and no recurrence was observed at a 1-year follow-up. This case is notable for the large dimensions, long period of evolution, and the uncommon anatomical site of the tumor. A review of the main clinical and histologic characteristics of palatal schwannomas reported in the last 40 years is also provided.
Keywords: differential diagnosis; hard palate; neurilemoma; oral cavity; schwannoma.