Vagal Nerve Schwannoma Clinically Mimicking Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Report of a Case

Introduction: Mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are mainly comprised of a spectrum of spindle cell tumors which include gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas or leiomyosarcomas, and schwannomas. As all of these tumors of the GI are located in the submucosal layer of the bowell wall, differential diagnosis is very difficult. Histopathological evaluation using immunohistochemical staining is required for the definitive diagnosis. Presentation of case: A 20-year-old female patient was presented with an upper abdominal pain and dyspepsia since 2 months duration.This case  is initially thought as GIST but finally diagnosed as vagal nerve schwannoma by histopathological evaluation after resection of the mass. Conclusion: Schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other mesenchimal tumors, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and leiomyomas or leiomyosarcomas, indeed it can grow in any part of the peripheral nerves along the gastrointestinal tract. Histopathological evaluation including immunohistochemical staining is required for the definitive diagnosis. MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 0 2 DocumentNotSpecified 7.8 Normal 0