Benign eccrine spiradenoma imitating a nerve sheath tumor: illustrative case

Abstract

BACKGROUND Benign eccrine spiradenoma is a rare tumor arising from the sweat glands and is a pathology that is almost never encountered in routine neurosurgical practice. Although this is a rare pathology, it is one that should be included in the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with a painful, subcutaneous mass, because it can guide further treatment considerations. OBSERVATIONS The authors present a case of benign eccrine spiradenoma that mimicked a nerve sheath tumor in clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, and gross appearance. LESSONS Complete local excision of these lesions is the gold standard treatment, because they are painful, and there are reports of local recurrence and malignant degeneration with incomplete resection. For this reason, neurosurgeons should be sure to include this in the differential diagnosis of a patient with a painful, subcutaneous mass, because it may help to guide management decisions.

Cutaneous eccrine spiradenoma: Insights into cytomorphological features via fine needle aspiration biopsy and a comprehensive literature review

“…Other entities described in the literature that might mimic ES include malignant nerve sheath tumours, 26,27 malignant round cell tumour (Ewing sarcoma reported by Rekhi et al) 26 and neuroma 28 …”

“…Other entities described in the literature that might mimic ES include malignant nerve sheath tumours, 26,27 malignant round cell tumour (Ewing sarcoma reported by Rekhi et al) 26 and neuroma. 28 Molecular studies aid in differentiating ES from other adnexal tumours that may share certain cytomorphologic features and immunohistochemical staining patterns such as cylindromas and ACCs.…”

Eccrine spiradenoma of nose: Surgical case report

“…This lesion is unique in 97 % of cases [ 4 ], however multiple forms on the trunk and extremities have been described [ 5 ]. It can occur at any age, but most often affects young adults and presents no apparent sexual predilection [ 6 ].…”