Solitary Intraorbital Schwannoma in Zaria, Nigeria: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Solitary Intraorbital Schwannomas are rare tumours constituting only 1% of orbital neoplasms. They are benign, truly encapsulated slow growing peripheral nerve sheath tumours originating from Schwann cells. We present the first diagnosed case of Intraorbital Schwannoma in our department. A 45-year-old woman who presented with right eye proptosis of 8 years duration and visual loss of 3 years duration. Examination showed a space-occupying lesion in the right orbit that was firm to palpation, adherent to deep planes, painless and displaced the right eye inferiorly. Computerize Tomographic scan revealed a homogenous soft tissue mass which was isodense to the extraocular muscle within retro-orbital region and eyelid with associated significant proptosis. Pathological examination revealed schwannoma. Patient had exenteration of the right orbital content after counselling and did well 6 months post treatment. Overall, intraorbital Schwannomas are infrequent tumours arising from the orbit. In this review, we shall discuss the clinical and histopathologic findings of this rare presentation of the tumour at this uncommon site and review the relevant literatures.