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neurilemmoma of the pleura

Description

A neurilemmoma of the pleura, also known as a schwannoma or pleural schwannoma, is a rare type of benign tumor that arises from the autonomic nerve fiber sheaths in the pleura. This condition is characterized by a slow-growing, neurogenic tumor that originates within the peripheral nerves.

Key characteristics:

  • Benign nature: Neurilemmomas of the pleura are typically non-cancerous and grow slowly.
  • Origin: These tumors arise from the autonomic nerve fiber sheaths in the pleura.
  • Rare occurrence: Pleural schwannomas are a rare type of tumor, accounting for only a small percentage of all thoracic tumors.

Symptoms:

  • Generally asymptomatic due to slow growth
  • May cause symptoms if large enough to compress surrounding structures

References:

  • [1] A schwannoma that involves the pleura. Synonyms. schwannoma of the pleura. pleura schwannoma. pleural neurilemmoma.
  • [3] A schwannoma that involves the pleura.
  • [10] A schwannoma (or neurilemmoma) is a usually benign nerve sheath tumor composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering ...

Additional Characteristics

  • A rare type of benign tumor that arises from the autonomic nerve fiber sheaths in the pleura.
  • A slow-growing, neurogenic tumor that originates within the peripheral nerves.
  • Typically non-cancerous and grow slowly.
  • A rare type of tumor, accounting for only a small percentage of all thoracic tumors.
  • Generally asymptomatic due to slow growth
  • May cause symptoms if large enough to compress surrounding structures

Signs and Symptoms

Common Signs and Symptoms

Neurilemmomas, also known as schwannomas or pleural schwannomas, are typically benign tumors that arise from the cells of Schwann in the pleura. While most cases are asymptomatic, some patients may experience mild symptoms due to the tumor's mass effect and compression on adjacent structures.

  • Cough: A common symptom, especially if the tumor is located near the lung parenchyma [6][7].
  • Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can occur, particularly if the tumor causes pleural effusion [10].
  • Chest pain: Mild chest pain or discomfort may be experienced, although this is less common [8][10].
  • Hoarseness: In some cases, hoarseness or voice changes can occur due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve [6][7].

Rare but Serious Complications

While rare, large tumors can cause more severe symptoms and complications, including:

  • Pleural effusion: Fluid accumulation in the pleural space, which can lead to respiratory distress [10].
  • Hemothorax or pneumothorax: Rarely, the tumor can rupture, leading to bleeding or air leakage into the pleural space [4].

Important Note

It's essential to note that most neurilemmomas of the pleura are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on imaging studies. If you're experiencing any symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.

References:

[4] by S Kongjarern · 2017 · Cited by 2 [6] by T Shimada · 2022 · Cited by 1 [7] by T Shimada · 2022 · Cited by 1 [8] Apr 10, 2023 [10] by NM Walvir · 2023 · Cited by 6

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic Tests for Neurilemmoma of the Pleura

Neurilemmoma, also known as schwannoma, is a type of tumor that can occur in the pleura, which is the lining surrounding the lungs. Diagnosing neurilemmoma of the pleura can be challenging, but various diagnostic tests can help confirm the presence of this condition.

  • Imaging Studies: Computed Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are commonly used to visualize the tumor and its location in the pleura. These imaging studies can help determine the size, number, and extent of the tumor [5].
  • Histopathological Examination: A thorough examination of tissue samples obtained through biopsy or surgical resection is essential for accurate diagnosis. Histopathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to look for characteristic features of neurilemmoma, such as Antoni type A and B areas [3].
  • Specialized Immunohistochemistry Analysis: In addition to histopathological examination, specialized immunohistochemistry analysis can help confirm the diagnosis by identifying specific proteins expressed by the tumor cells [3].
  • Pleural Fluid Analysis: Analyzing the fluid in the pleural space (pleural effusion) can also provide clues about the presence of neurilemmoma. However, this method is not always reliable and may require additional testing to confirm the diagnosis [10].

Other Diagnostic Methods

  • Pre-operative Tissue Biopsy: A biopsy before surgery can help establish a definitive diagnosis and determine the extent of necessary resection [7].
  • MRI for Evaluating Pleural, Mediastinal, or Organ Invasion: MRI is particularly useful for evaluating the tumor's invasion into surrounding structures, such as the mediastinum or organs [8].

References

[1] S Hu (2012) - CT findings may suggest the diagnosis of pleural schwannoma preoperatively. [3] S Vyas (2024) - Accurate diagnosis of pleural schwannomas requires thorough histopathological examination and specialized immunohistochemistry analysis of tissue samples. [5] A Al-Shaar - Computed tomography (CT) scan remains the diagnostic modality of choice for these neoplasms. [7] S Kongjarern (2017) - Pre-operative tissue biopsy, fine-needle cytology or incisional biopsy can be used to establish the diagnosis and to determine the extent of necessary resection. [8] A Al-Shaar - MRI is particularly useful for evaluating the tumor's invasion into surrounding structures, such as the mediastinum or organs.

Treatment

Based on the provided context, it appears that there is limited information available on the specific drug treatment for neurilemmoma of the pleura.

However, I can provide some general information on the management and treatment options for neurilemmomas in general. Neurilemmomas are typically benign tumors that arise from the cells of Schwann, and they can occur in various parts of the body, including the pleura.

According to search result 4, most tumors of the peripheral nervous system, including neurilemmomas, arise from the cells of Schwann rather than from the nerve cells themselves. This suggests that the treatment for neurilemmoma may not be significantly different from other types of schwannomas or neurilemmomas.

Unfortunately, there is no specific information available in the provided context on the drug treatment for neurilemmoma of the pleura. However, I can suggest some general treatment options for neurilemmomas that may be relevant:

  • Surgical resection: This is often considered the primary treatment option for neurilemmomas, especially if they are symptomatic or causing complications.
  • Observation: In some cases, neurilemmomas may not require immediate treatment and can be monitored with regular imaging studies to assess for any changes in size or symptoms.

It's worth noting that the management of pleural schwannomas (which is a type of neurilemmoma) has been discussed in search result 14. According to this article, surgical resection is considered the mainstay of treatment for pleural schwannomas.

I would like to emphasize that the information provided above is general and not specific to neurilemmoma of the pleura. If you are looking for more detailed or specific information on this topic, I recommend consulting a medical professional or searching for more recent studies and guidelines.

References:

  • Search result 4: The vast majority of tumors of the peripheral nervous system arise from the cells of Schwann, rather than from the nerve cells themselves.
  • Search result 14: Currently, because of the limited data available for the management of pleural schwannomas, the mainstays of the treatment are surgical resection.

Recommended Medications

  • Surgical resection
  • Observation

💊 Drug information is sourced from ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest) database. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication. Click on any medication name for detailed information.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Neurilemmoma of the Pleura

Neurilemmoma, also known as schwannoma, is a rare tumor that arises from the pleura. When diagnosing this condition, it's essential to consider other possible causes or differential diagnoses. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Solitary Fibrous Tumors (SFTs): These are the most common differential diagnosis for large lesions in the chest, including neurilemmomas. SFTs are usually asymptomatic and can be challenging to differentiate through clinical manifestations [12].
  • Pleural Metastasis: Neurilemmoma should also be considered as a differential diagnosis of solitary, solid, well-demarcated pleural lesions, which include but are not restricted to, pleural lipomas, pleural metastasis, mesotheliomas, and others [11].
  • Solitary Neurofibromas: These are benign peripheral nerve tumors that arise from cells of Schwann. They can be considered as a differential diagnosis for neurilemmoma, especially when they involve the skin or subcutaneous tissue [10].
  • Pleural Adenomatoid Tumor: This is another rare tumor that should be included in the differential diagnosis for pleural schwannomas. The principal components of the differential diagnosis for this tumor are metastatic adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma [15].

Key Points to Consider

  • Neurilemmoma is a rare tumor that arises from the pleura.
  • Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are the most common differential diagnosis for large lesions in the chest, including neurilemmomas.
  • Pleural metastasis and solitary neurofibromas should also be considered as differential diagnoses for neurilemmoma.
  • The principal components of the differential diagnosis for pleural adenomatoid tumor are metastatic adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma.

References

[10] - Solitary Neurofibromas [11] - Pleural schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of solitary, solid, well-demarcated pleural lesions. [12] - The most common differential diagnosis of large lesions in the chest is solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP). [15] - The principal components of the differential diagnosis for pleural adenomatoid tumor are metastatic adenocarcinoma and malignant mesothelioma.

Additional Information

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