Schwannoma

• (AKA Neurolemmoma)

• Can be pretty much anywhere (even in the brain)

• When they are in the brain, they are most commonly attached to CNVIII (called acoustic neuromas and are common in people with neurofibromatosis type II)

• When they arise from the spinal cord they typically come from the dorsal roots

• Very well circumscribed and may even be encapsulated; benign

• Generally not attached to the nerve they arise from, so they can be surgically separated

• Look for Antoni A and Antoni B areas and Verocay bodies microscopically

• Antoni A areas are very cellular and Antoni B areas are poorly cellular

• Verocay bodies are a bunch of cells that butt up against a pale, less cellular area

Category: Pathology Notes