SHORT COMMUNICATION   

Journal of Radiological Review 2022 March;9(1):13-7

DOI: 10.23736/S2723-9284.21.00162-6

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Ultrasound evaluation of schwannoma of the hand and wrist: case series analysis and literature review

Doriana VERGARA ¹ ✉, Martina CARUSO ², Camilla PANICO ², Roberta BLASIO ³, Chiara RISI ², Andrea PASSARETTI ⁴, Umberto PASSARETTI ⁴, Valentina D’AURIA ⁵, Pietro GISONNI ²

¹ IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy; ² Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; ³ Hospital of Marcianise, Marcianise, Caserta, Italy; ⁴ Department of Hand Surgery, Pellegrini Hospital, Naples, Italy; ⁵ SDN Napoli, Naples, Italy

Schwannoma is the most common benign tumor of peripheral nerves but represents only 5-8% of all soft tissue tumors, with the incidence of schwannoma of the hand and wrist reported as low as 1%. The ultrasound exam is the first imaging to approach to a clinically palpable swelling. We present a case series where the diagnosis of schwannoma is made on the basis of sonographic features. Schwannoma usually presents as a homogenous, hypoechoic mass, with internal vascular signal at color-Doppler, with posterior acoustic enhancement, pseudo-cystic appearance and target appearance. The nerve-tumor position is eccentric and nerve-tumor transition was clearly defined. These features allow us a correct diagnosis and a correct surgical planning. In fact, when the diagnosis of schwannoma is made a microsurgical technique is chosen, with nerve sparing and restitution ad integrum.

KEY WORDS: Ultrasonography; Peripheral nerves; Musculoskeletal system