An Unusual Variant of Cerebellopontine Angle Schwannoma in a Young Nepalese Girl

Abstract

An unusual variant of cerebellopontine angle schwannomas is extremely rare. Histologically, the tumor has atypical changes misleading the diagnosis. We report 20-year-old Nepalese girl from far-eastern community presented with features of raised intracranial pressure and difficulty in walking. MR imaging revealed intensely contrast enhanced well defined huge solid tumor in right cerebellopontine angle region with foci of multiple cystic components. The tumor was displacing the brain stem structures with dilatation of lateral and third ventricles. The altered radiological finding made discrepancy diagnosis. Conventional angiography demonstrated major feeders from the auricular branch of the right external carotid artery. The tumor was embolized with polyvinyl alcohol particles followed by gross total lateral suboccipital excision. Histopathology unit detailed it as ancient schwannoma with pleomorphic changes.