Gastric schwannoma-a rare benign mimic of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Abstract

Schwannomas most commonly manifest as acoustic neuromas in the vestibulo-cochlear nerve (CN VIII). These may occur unilaterally as primary tumors, or bilaterally secondary to neurofibromatosis type 2. More rarely, they present in extra-cranial sites, including the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal schwannomas are believed to arise from Auerbach's plexus in the muscularis propria, and are classified as mesenchymal tumors. Here, we report a rare case of a 49-year-old woman who had surgical resection of a gastric mass which was eventually diagnosed as gastric schwannoma.