Orbital schwannoma: a clinicopathologic study

The aim of the study was to study the clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics of orbital schwannomas. It is a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital. A review of histopathological records of the orbital tumors operated between 1993 and 2011 was done. The clinical, imaging and histopathological details of cases of orbital schwannoma were analyzed. Forty-nine cases of orbital schwannomas identified. The age ranged from 8 to 65 years with a female preponderance. The median duration of symptoms was 3 years. Computed tomography findings varied from a hypodense to hyperdense lesion with nil to marked contrast enhancement. USG demonstrated a defined lesion with variable internal reflectivity. Varied proportions of Antoni A and Antoni B areas were found on histopathology of the masses. Hypodense or cystic areas on imaging significantly correlated with Antoni B areas on histopathology. Orbital schwannoma is a rare tumor. The incidence of schwannoma in our institution is 6.5 %. Variable imaging features were found. The definite diagnosis can be established on the basis of histopathological and immunohistochemical studies.