Intraparenchymatous schwannoma of the cerebellum

Abstract

Intraparenchymatous schwannomas of the central nervous system are rare. In decreasing order of frequency they are found in the spinal cord, cerebral hemispheres, brainstem and cerebellum. So far, only six such tumours have been reported in the cerebellum. A male predominance and early onset of symptoms are salient features. A case of a 73-year-old Caucasian female with an intraparenchymatous schwannoma of the right cerebellar hemisphere which extended into the brainstem is reported. A complete cure followed surgical removal of the tumour. The preoperative clinical and radiological diagnosis was that of a cerebellar astrocytoma.

Key Words:

• Brainstem
• cerebellum
• immunohistochemistry
• intraparenchymatous schwannoma
• neurosurgery