Pontine extension of a tentorial schwannoma without cranial nerve involvement: a case report

Schwannomas constitute about 8% of primary intracranial tumors and account for almost 80% to 90% of cerebellopontine angle tumors. Most cases are related to the eighth cranial nerve, and less commonly to other cranial nerves. Intracranial schwannomas not associated with cranial nerves are uncommon [1, 2]. To date, only 11 cases of intracranial schwannomas arising from the tentorium have been reported [1, 3‐12].

We report a new case of a tentorial schwannoma unrelated to the cranial nerves, with extension into the pons. A literature review with the discussion of the most relevant pathogenetic aspects has also been performed.

A 42 year-old Caucasian man was admitted to our institution with a recent history of paresthesias and weakness of his right upper and lower extremities. The neurological examination revealed right hemiparesis and hemi-hypoesthesia. His cranial nerve functions were normal as was his brainstem auditory evoked response test. His personal and family histories were negative for neurofibromatosis. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed a left cerebellopontine lesion, hypointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. A homogeneous contrast enhancement of the lesion was observed after gadolinium injection; the tumor appeared to be implanted on the left free edge of the tentorium, with extension into the pons. A 'dural tail' connecting the lesion to the tentorial edge was also present (Figure 1).

Surgery was performed using a retrosigmoid approach. After retraction of the hemispheric cerebellar lobe, a yellowish extra-axial lesion of the cerebellopontine angle was discovered. The tumor was strongly attached to the superior surface and the free edge of the tentorium, extending into the pons parenchyma. An endocapsular piecemeal removal was performed by means of an ultrasonic aspirator; the lesion appeared friable and vascularized. The cranial nerve complexes V, VII, VIII, IX, × and XI were all identified and preserved, and the mass was not found to be associated with these cranial nerves. The intraparenchymal portion was carefully dissected by the brain stem. After dissection from the surrounding structures, the lesion was mobilized and its implantation on the left free edge and superior surface of the tentorium exposed and resected. After tumor removal, the IV cranial nerve was exposed in its arachnoid cistern. At the end of the procedure, coagulation and resection of the implantation were achieved.

His postoperative course was uneventful and our patient fully recovered from his preoperative deficits.

Histological examination of the resected tumor revealed schwannoma Antoni type A (Figure 2A-D). A brain MRI scan performed one year after the surgical procedure revealed total removal of the lesion, without signs of recurrence (Figure 2A, B). At that time, our patient continued to be neurologically intact.

Intracranial schwannomas unrelated to the cranial nerves are uncommon, since the central nervous system is devoid of Schwann cells. In 1966, Gibson published the first case of intracerebral Schwann cell tumor in the temporal lobe of a six-year-old boy [13]. Since that time, approximately 60 cases of schwannomas unrelated to the cranial nerves have been reported [14, 15]. Most intracranial schwannomas unrelated to the cranial nerves have been described as being adherent to the dura mater and have been thought to arise from this structure [4, 5, 16‐18]; in 10 cases, a tentorial attachment has been demonstrated (Table 1[1, 3‐11]). Interestingly, none of the patients of the reported cases had neurofibromatosis. Even in our case, the lesion arose from the tentorial dura, but an intraparenchymal extension into the pons was also present.

Typically, tentorial-based schwannomas appear on radiology as a heterogeneous enhancing cystic lesion, occasionally encased in the surrounding brain parenchyma, but without peritumoral edema; as in our case, a dural tail sign is often present [5].

Several surgical approaches have been reported to remove this kind of tumor (Table 1). In our case, we used a retrosigmoid approach. An alternative approach could be a subtemporal route, because of the tumor location in the middle incisural space. However, dealing with a left-sided lesion in a right-handed patient, we preferred a retrosigmoid approach to avoid a temporal venous infarction secondary to brain retraction, a complication reported as symptomatic in 2.6% to 13% of these approaches [19].

There are several hypotheses about the origin of intracranial schwannomas unrelated to the cranial nerves [20]. Interestingly, some authors have suggested that these lesions could arise from Schwann cells normally present within the perivascular nerve plexuses surrounding arteries in the subarachnoid space, or from Schwann cells of meningeal branches of the trigeminal and anterior ethmoid nerves [21]. The absence of cranial nerve deficits and the frequent presence of a unilateral headache strongly suggest a possible origin of the thin branches of the trigeminal ganglion or of the sensorial branches of the first division of the trigeminal nerve which supplies the tentorium. These branches were first described by Arnold in 1826 [22].

Although the absence of postoperative cranial nerves deficits has been advocated as proof that these lesions do not arise from cranial nerves, this observation has been questioned by some authors, since a lack of postoperative symptoms could be related to the compensative mechanism of ocular movements [4].

Tentorial schwannomas are rare clinical entities, but the knowledge of their clinical, radiological and anatomical characteristics is very important for a correct diagnosis and management.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this manuscript and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.