Large infratemporal fossa trigeminal schwannoma: A case report

Trigeminal schwannomas with exclusive extracranial involvement (Type E) are rare neoplasms: only 19 cases have been reported in international literature. We report a case of a large (5 cm × 4 cm × 3.5 cm) extracranial trigeminal schwannomas: the neoplasm extensively involved the infratemporal fossa, the pterygopalatine fossa and the infraorbital canal. Diagnosis has been pre-operatively made by a biopsy performed with a Caldwell-Luc approach, although imaging (particularly MRI with gadolinium) was strongly orientative. Neoplasm was treated by a combined endoscopic transnasal and transmaxillary approach. At the radiologic follow-up, made after 3 and 6 months from the operation, the schwannoma did not show any sign of recurrence.