CASE REPORT
Intraosseous schwannoma mimicking a periapical lesion on the adjacent tooth:
case report
M. D. Martins1, S. A. Taghloubi1, S. K. Bussadori1, K. P. S. Fernandes1, R. M. Palo2& M. A. T. Martins1
1School of Dentistry and Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil; and2Postgraduate student, School of Dentistry, State University of Sa˜o Paulo – UNESP, Araraquara – SP, Brazil
Abstract
Martins MD, Taghloubi SA, Bussadori SK, Fernandes KPS, Palo RM, Martins MAT.
Intraosseous schwannoma mimicking a periapical lesion on the adjacent tooth: case report. International Endodontic Journal, 40, 72–78, 2007.
Aim To present an additional case of intraosseous schawannoma involving the apical area in the mandibular alveolar bone mimicking an inflammatory periapical lesion.
Summary This article describes a case of schwannoma periapically located mimicking an inflammatory periapical lesion in the mandible of a 34-year-old female. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems can occur when this lesion is misinterpreted as being endodontic in origin. The diagnosis, radiograph, immunohistochemical aspects and treatment are also discussed.
Key learning points
• Intraosseous schwannoma is a rare unilocular radiolucency that when located periapically could be misdiagnosed as an endodontic lesion and result in unnecessary root canal treatment.
• The vitality of the pulp is an important test to exclude lesions of inflammatory origin.
• Histological examination is important to establish the diagnosis of lesions in the periradicular region.
Keywords: benign tumour, mandible, neural tumour, neurilemmoma, S100, Schwann cells, schwannoma.
Received 16 May 2006; accepted 3 August 2006
Introduction
Schwannomas were first established as a pathologic entity in 1910 by Verocay who called them neurinomas (Verocay 1910). The terms schwannoma or neurilemmoma presently doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2006.01195.x
Correspondence: Manoela Domingues Martins, Rua: Aimbereˆ, 909 Ap. 32, Perdizes Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil 05018-011 (Tel./fax: +11 32564421; e-mail: manomartins@gmail.com or mmmartinss@ig.com.br).
makes their diagnosis difficult. The site most commonly involved is the mandible and sacrum. Intraosseous schwannoma of the maxilla is exceptionally unusual (Marzola et al.
1988, Llewelyn & Sugar 1989, Takeda 1991, Minic 1992, Villaneuva et al. 1995). Recent studies have shown a substantial increase in the number of intraosseous schwannomas in the recent years and a preponderance for women and patients in the second, third and fourth decades (Hatziotis & Asprides 1967, Zachariades et al. 1987, Takeda 1991). When localized close to the periapical region or laterally on roots these lesions could be confused with inflammatory odontogenic lesions.
The malignant transformation of schwannoma is extremely rare as opposed to the transformation of neurofibroma in connection with neurofibromatosis (Enzinger & Weiss 1988).
The aim of this report is to present a clinical case of schwannoma in the mandibular alveolar bone mimicking an inflammatory periapical lesion. The radiographic, histological, immunohistochemical and treatment aspects are emphasized. The report discusses the importance of differential diagnosis and complementary examinations such as pulp vitality tests and histological examination to exclude inflammatory lesions and obtain the diagnosis.
Case report
A 34-year-old white female was referred to the School of Dentistry of Nove de Julho University, Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil complaining of pain in the mandibular right molar region for more than a week. This pain was made worse with cold food and drinks. Clinical examination revealed no expansion of the mandible bone. The overlying mucosa was intact and of normal colour. Radiographical examination revealed a radiolucent area under a composite restoration in the first molar indicating a carious lesion. In the alveolar bone, a radiolucent, unilocular, well-circumscribed lesion with a dense sclerotic border situated between the second premolar and first molar in the right mandibular area was noted. The panoramic radiograph showed that the lesion was a single area of pathosis with a size of 1.5· 1.0 cm in its greatest diameters. The periodontal attachment and lamina dura of both teeth appeared to be intact (Figs 1 and 2). The second premolar and first right molar teeth responded to pulp sensitivity tests. The patient was unaware of the lesion and did not know for how long it had been present. The remainder of the history was not contributory. The differential diagnosis was some type of odontogenic lesion such as a keratocyst or ameloblastoma, a central giant cell granuloma or idiopathic bone cavity.
After local anaesthesia, the lesion was excised surgically. During surgery, the lesion appeared well-circumscribed, unilocular, greyish white in colour and was situated between the roots of the first molar and second premolar teeth. It was easily separated from the surrounding tissue.
The old composite restoration was removed and an indirect pulp capping procedure was undertaken.
Microscopic examination of the histological sections revealed an ovoid piece of tissue surrounded by a thin fibrous connective tissue capsule. The lesion was composed of
tissue, which had a definite neural pattern. Antoni type B tissue aspect was predominant.
The lesion was composed of densely cellular and irregularly arranged, elongated spindle tumour cells (Fig. 3). Numerous large, thin-walled blood vessels were also present; these became more numerous closer to the centre of the lesion. It was not possible to identify a peripheral nerve related to this tumour.
On the basis of its classic histological features, the diagnosis was benign schwannoma.
Immunohistochemical examination showed that the tissue stained readily for S100 protein confirming the histological examination (Fig. 4).
The postoperative course was uneventful and healing was normal. There were no signs of recurrence 3 years later. During this period the patient had more pulp pain and root canal treatment in the molar tooth was completed. The radiograph revealed complete bone formation in the surgical site (Fig. 5). Based on the diagnosis, a general physical examination was completed to rule out multiple tumours of neural origin. The results of this examination were negative.
Discussion
This paper reports an intra-bony schwannoma arising in the mandible adjacent to tooth roots. Schwannoma, also called neurilemmoma, is an infrequent, usually benign tumour, Figure 2 Periapical radiograph revealing a well-circumscribed radiolucent image in alveolar bone with a dense sclerotic border.
Figure 1 Panoramic radiograph showing the lesion between the right second mandibular premolar and first molar.
CASE RE POR T
derived from the neuroectodermal Schwann cells that cover myelinated nerve fibres (Hatziotis & Asprides 1967, Zachariades et al. 1987). The neoplasm has a predilection for the head, neck and flexor surfaces of upper and lower extremities. Whereas the head and neck region is the most common site for benign nerve sheath tumours, intra-oral lesions are unusual and only a small number occur in intraosseous sites (Marzola et al. 1988, Llewelyn & Sugar 1989, Takeda 1991, Minic 1992, Villaneuva et al. 1995).
Intraosseous lesions located in the periapical region could lead to clinical and radiographical diagnostic confusion. Most of the lesions situated at these sites are odontogenic in origin. However, other possibilities must be included in the differential diagnosis, especially when the dental lamina are preserved and pulp tests are positive.
The literature reveals 44 reported central schwannomas of the jaws; 39 in the mandible and 5 in the maxilla (Chi et al. 2003). Usually, this lesion exhibits a behaviour similar to other benign intraosseous lesions. Based on this slow growth the radiographical features include a well-defined radiolucent area, which may be bordered by a dense sclerotic margin of bone. The expansive pattern of growth tends to dislocate involved nerves and teeth (Marzola et al. 1988, Llewelyn & Sugar 1989, Takeda 1991, Minic 1992, Villaneuva et al. 1995).
The present report demonstrates a case of intraosseous schwannoma that was diagnosed following meticulous examination by the dental surgeon. The patient Figure 4 S100 positive reaction in schwannoma. Immunoperoxidase staining (·400).
Figure 3 Photomicrograph of the lesion composed of densely cellular and irregularity arranged, elongated spindle tumour cells. Antoni B tissue was dominant. The tumour cells had fusiform aspect with no precise cytoplasmic limits (H&E·100).
complained of acute toothache and a radiographical examination was carried out to evaluate the tooth and restoration. Simultaneously a well-circumscribed radiolucent area between the second premolar and first molar roots was observed. The lesion could be confused with inflammatory periodontal lesion such as dental granuloma or radicular cyst, although clinical findings seemed to indicate a nonendodontic origin. The involved tooth gave a positive result to sensitivity tests. An exploratory surgical (curettage) approach was chosen, and the final diagnosis of the tissue mass was microscopically confirmed to be a schwannoma.
The microscopic analysis of the specimens obtained is extremely important to establish the final diagnosis. Some clinicians do not routinely send the specimens for histological examination, this can lead to erroneous diagnosis and treatment. The intraosseous schwannoma is a rare lesion and the clinical course and the radiographic appearance of this lesion is not characteristic; therefore, the diagnosis can only be established on histological examination (Fiedman 1964, Hatziotis & Asprides 1967, Schofield & Gadner 1982, Gotte et al. 1986, Gallo et al. 1997). The extent of the lesion at diagnosis may indicate more radical procedures, including removal of teeth and bone resection (Marks et al. 1976, Llewelyn & Sugar 1989, Gallo et al. 1997).
When seen as a gross specimen, the tissue of schwannoma is solid, roundly lobulated and greyish white in colour. It is soft or moderately firm. Most tumours are encapsulated.
Microscopically, the growth is classified into two basic types of tissue, Antoni A and Antoni B. The Antoni A type consists of closely packed spindle cells with their nuclei lying in rows and displaying a palisade effect. Hyaline structures areas are observed between these rows; those with round to oval configuration are called Verocay bodies. The Antoni B type of tissue is composed of a loose-meshed cells haphazardly arranged with number of minute cystic spaces (Lucas 1984, Zachariades et al. 1987, Enzinger & Weiss 1988, Chrysomali et al. 1997).
According to Chrysomali et al. (1997) in terms of immunohistochemistry, all neural origin tumours have positivity for S100 protein and this technique could help distinguish these lesions. Intense positive reaction for S100 is observed in schwannoma and Figure 5 Closer view of panoramic radiograph 1 year after the complete excision showing bone regeneration in the area.
CASE RE POR T
clinical criteria for distinguishing the behaviour of the tumour, although the malignant neoplasm tends to cause more pain in the region of distribution of the nerve (Krause et al.
1993).
The treatment for schwannoma consists of total surgical lesion removal. In the present case, the surgical exploration was completed and the lesion was totally excised with no signs of recurrence 3 years later. Recurrences and malignant transformation are rare events. The presence of schwannoma must lead to a careful search for neural tumours in other parts of the body, although in most cases none will be found. The differentiation of schwannoma from neurofibroma is essential, because an apparently ‘solitary’ neurofi- broma may be a manifestation of neurofibromatosis.
Conclusion
Introsseous schawannoma are rare lesions and can mimic periapical lesions. Careful diagnostic procedures and adequate interpretation of clinical, radiographical and histolog- ical findings of intraosseous lesions situated at periapical region are required to associate the correct diagnosis, which otherwise may result in unnecessary root canal treatment.
Disclaimer
Whilst this article has been subjected to Editorial review, the opinions expressed, unless specifically indicated, are those of author. The views expressed do not necessarily represent best practice, or the views of the IEJ Editorial Board, or of its affiliated Specialist Societies.
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