Rare Case of Gastric Schwannoma Simulating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour-A Case Report

Gastric schwannoma (GS) is a rare, benign, slow-growing neoplasm representing 0.2% of all gastric tumors. We report a rare case of Gastric schwannoma in a 56 year old woman who presented with abdominal discomfort and vomiting since few years. Contrast enhanced Computed Tomography showed a well-defined homogeneously attenuating lesion with homogenous enhancement. Wedge gastrectomy was done with a possible diagnosis of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, but was confirmed to have Gastric schwannoma on histopathology showing spindle cells with peripheral cuff of lymphoid aggregates and S-100 protein positivity on immunohistochemistry. Gastric schwannoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a gastric intramural or exophytic mass when Computed Tomography shows a well-defined homogeneously attenuating lesion with progressively increasing homogenous enhancement without hemorrhage, necrosis, and degeneration.

Combined laparoscopic-endoscopic “rendez-vous” procedure in a case of gastric Schwannoma in a toddler

Introduction. Schwannomas are rare benign tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the differences in features of schwannomas located in the stomach as opposed to peripheral or soft tissue schwannomas, their immunohistochemical characteristics are the same. We present a case of a 14-month-old boy with a gastric tumor who underwent a combined laparoscopic-endoscopic resection surgery, followed by gastric schwannoma diagnosis. Case outline. The patient was admitted to our pediatric hospital with a fever of unknown origin. Endoscopy, performed after recurrent hematemesis, revealed an ulcer in the gastric antrum. At the four-week follow-up, gastroscopic and microscopic findings were normal. Two weeks later, a flank mass in the antrum was detected by an ultrasound examination. A new gastroscopy and CT scan confirmed the presence of a tumor-like mass, 5 cm in diameter. A combined laparoscopic-endoscopic polypectomy was performed with a necessary conversion for complete resection of tumor. The initial histological findings were consistent with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Due to this tumor?s rarity in childhood, the paraffin-embedded tissue samples were referred for a second opinion. Histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor made the gastrointestinal stromal tumor diagnosis unlikely and consistent with a completely resected gastric schwannoma. No recurrence of the disease occurred during the seven-year follow-up. Conclusion. Combined laparoscopic-endoscopic surgery is a feasible and effective treatment for large gastric tumors that cannot be excised endoscopically. Schwannoma should be included in the differential diagnostic consideration of gastric tumor lesions even in childhood.

EP.WE.412An unusual case of a 13.8cm Gastric Schwannoma invading into Transverse Mesocolon: A case report and literature review

Gastric Schwannomas (GS) are benign, slow-growing, Sub-mucosal tumours (SMT’s) that constitute 0.2% of all gastric tumours. They usually have a homogenous appearance on contrast enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen (CECT Abdomen) and rarely show malignant features such as irregular borders, calcification, local invasion and mucosal ulceration. Due to lack of mucosal changes and poor yield during Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD) and biopsy, they are often misdiagnosed as Gastro-Intestinal Stromal tumours (GISTs), a malignant SMT. Treatment options range from conservative management to major open resections and are dependent on the size and clinical presentation. Histologically, GS are spindle cells tumours with lymphoid cuffing. On Immunohistochemistry, they test positive for S100 but negative for DOG1, Smooth muscle actin and Desmin which are markers of GISTs. Here we present the case of a 61-year-old female with a 15-year history of epigastric fullness that turned out to be a 13.8cm GS originating from the greater curvature of the stomach. On CECT Abdomen, the tumour appeared heterogeneous, with multiple calcium deposits and local invasion into the transverse mesocolon. The patient underwent a Sub-total gastrectomy with en-bloc transverse colectomy. Symptoms from GS can be vague and can pose a significant diagnostic and investigative dilemma. Physicians and Surgeons should have a low threshold to investigate prolonged symptoms with CECT Abdomen. Despite their benign nature, if left undiagnosed, GS can grow to significant sizes and mimic malignant gastric tumours on conventional imaging resulting in unconventionally major resections.

Laparoscopic–Endoscopic “Rendezvous” Procedure in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Surgery—Case Series

Laparoscopic–endoscopic “rendezvous” procedures were introduced in surgery for common bile duct stone treatment but are now widely used in other fields of abdominal surgery. An endoscopist navigates a surgeon during the same operative procedure and, thus, enables a better visualization of the location, resection margins, bleeding control, less thermal damage, etc. Here, we present case series of 11 patients that were treated using a “rendezvous” procedure for gastrointestinal lesions on different parts of the gastrointestinal tract such as juvenile polyps on the colon (transversum, ascendens, cecum, sigma), leiomyomatosis of the stomach, Peutz–Jeghers intestinal polyposis, hyperplastic gastric polyp, ectopic pancreatic tissue in the stomach, gastric trichobezoar, and gastric schwannoma. “Rendezvous” procedures are suitable for intestinal lesions that could not be resected endoscopically due to their size, morphology and/or location. In our experience this procedure should be used for endoscopically unresectable lesions as it decreases the time of surgery, possibility of iatrogenic injury, bleeding and technical inability. Furthermore, this procedure has been shown to better navigate the surgeon during laparoscopic surgery, especially in treating polyps in particularly difficult locations such as the duodenum or cecum, and it decreases conversion rates. However, conversion is sometimes necessary, in order to assure all oncological principals are respected, and the best option in some cases.