GASTRIC SCHWANNOMA - A RARE GASTROINTESTINAL MEASENCHYMAL TUMOUR - A CASE REPORT

A Schwannoma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour arising from the Schwann cells. Gastrointestinal Schwannomas are rare mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract which are benign, slow growing tumours and usually asymptomatic. It most commonly occurs in the stomach, rarely in oesophagus and colon. Here we present a case of 72 year old woman who presented only with upper abdominal discomfort and examination revealed a firm epigastric mass. Further investigations led to a provisional diagnosis of GIST for which she underwent a sleeve resection of the stomach along with the tumour. Subsequent histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of a gastric schwannoma. The clinical presentation, histopathological features, differential diagnosis and management of Gastric Schwannomas are discussed.