Isolated Schwannoma of the Olfactory Groove: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction Schwannoma of the olfactory groove is an extremely rare tumor that can share a differential diagnosis with meningioma or neuroblastoma.

Objectives The authors present a case of giant schwannoma involving the anterior cranial fossa and ethmoid sinuses.

Case Report The patient presented with a 30-month history of left nasal obstruction, anosmia, and sporadic ipsilateral bleeding. Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses revealed expansive lesion on the left nasal cavity extending to nasopharynx up to ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses bilaterally with intraorbital and parasellar extension to the skull base. Magnetic resonance imaging scan confirmed the expansive tumor without dural penetration. Biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy and probable neural cell. Bifrontal craniotomy was performed combined with lateral rhinotomy (Weber-Ferguson approach), and the lesion was totally removed. The tumor measured 8.0 × 4.3 × 3.7 cm and microscopically appeared as a schwannoma composed of interwoven bundles of elongated cells (Antoni A regions) mixed with less cellular regions (Antoni B). Immunohistochemical study stained intensively for vimentin and S-100.

Conclusion Schwannomas of the olfactory groove are extremely rare, and the findings of origin of this tumor is still uncertain but recent studies point most probably to the meningeal branches of trigeminal nerve or anterior ethmoidal nerves.

Keywords

paranasal sinuses - skull base - neurilemmoma - olfactory nerve - head and neck neoplasms - neoplasms - nerve tissue

Introduction

Schwannoma of the olfactory groove is extremely rare. So far only 35 cases have been reported in the literature when we searched the PubMed database. Schwannoma had already been described at the beginning of the 19th century, but Virchow was the first to recognize them for what they were. Such tumors account for ∼8% of all primary intracranial tumors.[1] The most common arises from the vestibular portion of the eighth nerve and, less commonly, the fifth, ninth, tenth, and twelfth cranial nerves.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] They have been described as resembling subfrontal or olfactory groove schwannomas, which reflects their enigmatic origin.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Case Report

The patient was a 39-year-old man with 30-month history of left nasal obstruction, anosmia, and sporadic ipsilateral bleeding. His physical examination showed a mass in the left nasal cavity extending to the nasopharynx. No café au lait spots or other signs of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis were observed.

Computed tomography of paranasal sinuses revealed expansive lesion on the left nasal cavity extending from the nasopharynx to ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses bilaterally with intraorbital and parasellar extension to the skull base. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a heterogeneous hyperintense tumor occupying the anterior cranial fossa without dural penetration ([Fig. 1]). Biopsy by nasal endoscopy revealed no evidence of malignancy and probable neural cell. Cerebral angiography showed a large tumoral blush with pathologic vascularization of the displaced left maxillary artery and left ophthalmic artery without sufficient diameter for embolization.

Fig. 1 Coronal magnetic resonance imaging showing extensive mass growing down from cribriform plate.

The bilateral supraorbital approach was applied by making a coronal skin incision and retracting the scalp flap forward, and bilateral frontal craniotomy was performed with the John-Jane technique for excellent access to the floor of the anterior fossa and the superior orbits with less brain retraction. The orbital roof was partially removed and the dura was elevated on both sides of the crista galli. The tumor was seen arising from the base of the anterior cranial fossa and attached to the dura at level of the cribriform plate up to anterior clinoid process.

The lesion was well delineated, involving the anterior cranial fossa and parasellar region and extending down to the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and ethmoid sinuses with intraorbital parasellar extension. The tumor was completely excised through the bifrontal craniotomy approach combined with lateral rhinotomy (Weber-Ferguson approach). The tumor measured 8.0 × 4.3 × 3.7 cm and was firm in consistency. Microscopically, the tumor appeared as a Schwannoma composed of interwoven bundles of elongated cells (Antoni A regions) mixed with less cellular regions (Antoni B). Immunohistochemical study stained intensively for vimentin and S-100 ([Fig. 2]). The resected area of the dura and tumor was repaired with part of the temporal bone and galea–periosteum aiming to minimize the possibility of fistula and infection. The patient remains free of disease with an excellent functional and cosmetic result. He is in good health with a residual sense of smell.

Fig. 2 Neopasm consisting of elongated spindle cells with poorly defined, palely eosinophil cytoplasm, sometime with nuclear palisading. Immunohistochemically, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was negative and vimentin and S-100 protein stained intensively.

Discussion

Isolated schwannoma of the olfactory groove are rare tumors.[13] [14] [35] According to a review by Ulrich et al in 1978,[36] three of the previous cases had been reported in association with von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. Husain et al reported a case of a tumor arising from the base of the right anterior cranial fossa,[13] and Sabel and Teepen referred to a case of tumor of the anterior cranial fossa where the olfactory bulb and nerve were not seen.[14]

There are a few descriptions of intracerebral schwannomas.[2] [3] [4] [17] [37] [38] [39] [40] To date there are 35 cases of schwannoma of the anterior cranial fossa described in the literature.[7] [41]

The origin of intracranial Schwannoma is intriguing. There are some hypotheses concerning their origin. Developmental theories hold that these lesions primarily arise from aberrant Schwann cells in the central nervous system.[14] [15] [17] [33] Russell and Rubinstein advocate that mesenchymal pial cells may transform into ectodermal Schwann cells, explaining the occurrence of intraparenchymal schwannomas. Other theories suggest an origin from multipotent mesenchymal cells or displacement of neural crest cells forming the focus of Schwann cells within brain parenchyma (schwannosis).[35]

The developmental theories can explain the origin of intraparenchymal schwannomas,[14] [15] [18] [33] but the subtype of schwannomas located in the anterior skull base intimately related to the olfactory groove seems to be an extra-axial tumor.[15] [31] [33]

Adachi et al reviewed the literature in 2007 about the origin of schwannoma from the fila olfactoria.[15] They reported that embryonic nerve, the plexus of dural vessels, and the fila olfactory that acquire Schwann cells have been considered as possible origins of these tumors.[15] [19] However, others authors have pointed that the olfactory schwannomas originate from the olfactory bulb and nerve.[8] [14] [18] [33] A kind of cell that expresses phenotypic features of both astrocyte and Schwann cell is present.[19]

To assess the possibility of schwannomas originating from a real peripheral nerve, we need to know which nerve, present near the olfactory bulb and first cranial nerve, could be the origin of the tumor growth. The anterior ethmoidal nerve and the ramus meningeus of the trigeminal nerve are possibilities[13] [14] [42] In most vertebrates, including man, a terminal nerve, which is part of an accessory olfactory system, is thought to be present. It is possible that this nerve is the source of an olfactory schwannoma.

The descriptions of the origin of this tumor are intriguing and enigmatic. Most descriptions point to a lesion intimately related to the anterior skull base, particularly the region of the olfactory groove.

Conclusion

Schwannomas represent ∼8% of all intracranial tumors. Schwannomas of the olfactory groove are extremely rare. The present case represents the 36th case described in the literature. The origin of this tumor is still uncertain but recent studies point most probably to the meningeal branches of trigeminal nerve or anterior ethmoidal nerves.

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