Olfactory schwannomas – an enigmatic clinical entity

Abstract

Olfactory Schwannomas (OS) are a rare, benign tumour entity. Throughout literature, only few cases have been reported. We describe here a case of a 75-year-old female with a contrast enhanced mass lesion in the anterior fossa, who underwent a surgical removal and its histopathological analysis was consistent with a schwannoma. The description of the origin of this tumour is intriguing and enigmatic. Although rare, this type of tumour should always be included in the differential diagnosis of anterior fossa lesions. Further research on the pathogenesis and the natural course of OS is needed.

Keywords:

• olfactory
• schwannoma
• skull base

Disclosure statement

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers' bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.