Eyelid schwannoma in a male adult

Abstract

Schwannomas (neurilemmomas) are benign tumours of peripheral nerves arising from Schwann cells. These tumours along with neurofibromas form the two most common primary peripheral nerve tumours. Solitary lesions can occur sporadically in the general population but multiple neurofibromas are distinctive feature of neurofibromatosis type 1 and bilateral acoustic schwannomas are a feature of neurofibromatosis type 2. Schwannomas of ophthalmic interest are rare although they have been reported in relation to the orbit, and infrequently uveal tract and conjunctiva. Isolated eyelid schwannomas appear infrequent; only four cases in adults and one in a child in the published literature have been found. Herein, a case of eyelid schwannoma in a 53-year-old man is described.