Ancient schwannomas are long-standing, benign (WHO grade I) slow growing schwannomas with advanced degeneration. These can have calcification, hyalinization, and cystic cavitation that can be identified on imaging. The term “ancient” has been traditionally used to describe schwannomas showing degenerative changes and diffuse hypocellular areas 1-3.
Although microscopically these tumours can have nuclear pleomorphism they should not be misinterpreted as being malignant 4.
- 1. Lin J, Martel W. Cross-sectional imaging of peripheral nerve sheath tumors: characteristic signs on CT, MR imaging, and sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;176 (1): 75-82. doi:10.2214/ajr.176.1.1760075 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Lee YS, Kim JO, Park SE. Ancient schwannoma of the thigh mimicking a malignant tumour: a report of two cases, with emphasis on MRI findings. Br J Radiol. 2010;83 (991): e154-7. doi:10.1259/bjr/19325350 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 3. Isobe K, Shimizu T, Akahane T et-al. Imaging of ancient schwannoma. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;183 (2): 331-6. doi:10.2214/ajr.183.2.1830331 - Pubmed citation
- 4. Louis DN, Ohgaki H, Wiestler OD et-al. The 2007 WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system. Acta Neuropathol. 2007;114 (2): 97-109. Acta Neuropathol. (full text) - doi:10.1007/s00401-007-0243-4 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
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