Orbital schwannoma: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Orbital schwannoma is a rare orbital tumor comprising only about 1 % of all orbital tumors. A 64-year-old Chinese male presented to our clinic with a 1-month history of unilateral proptosis, seeing double, and progressive painless visual loss. The proptosis was axial in nature, and an intraconal mass was revealed by an
orbital computed tomographic scan. The mass was excised en bloc through a lateral orbitotomy approach. A histopathologic examination showed a well-encapsulated tumor composed of spindle cells arranged in both Antoni A and B patterns, which was compatible with the diagnosis of schwannoma. The differential diagnoses of intraconal orbital mass and the radiological and pathological findings of the lesion are described and discussed. A literature review of 60 published cases of orbital schwannoma is also presented.