Olfactory groove schwannoma: case report

Intracranial schwannoma not related to cranial nerves are unusual and rarely found in the subfrontal region. We report a case of olfactory groove schwannoma in a 27-year-old male, who presented with anosmia and headache initiated one year ago. At admission, bilateral papilledema was noted with absense of motor deficits or cranial nerves abnormalities. Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a bifrontal multicystic isodense enhancing mass lesion causing a frontal ventricular horn compression. Radiological features resembled that of a cystic olfactory groove meningioma. Decompressive bifrontal craniotomy was done. One month later, CT demonstrated a homogeneously contrast-enhancing mass in the olfactory groove region who extended into the left nasal cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging did not add more informations. A second surgical procedure was done through a nasoethmoidal approach with incomplete resection of the lesion. The complete tumor resection was only possible in a third surgery through another bifrontal approach. The hystopathological diagnosis of schwannoma was performed by conventional methods and confirmed by immunohistoquemical staining for S-100 protein. The rarity of this tumor and his clinical, radiological and histological aspects justify this publication.