Schwannoma of Gingiva: a rare case report

Abstract

Schwannoma is a rare benign neural neoplasm derived from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. Schwannoma accounts for 25% to 48% of all neoplasm cases in the head and neck region. Oral Schwannoma is an uncommon soft tissue tumor comprising of 1% of all Schwannomas. Tongue is the most common location for oral schwannoma. Occurrence of gingival schwannoma is very rare and less than 10 cases have been reported until now. Oral Schwannoma occurs in the mean age of 43 years. In this report, we present a unique case of Schwannoma in a 12-year-old male child with an enlarged semi-firm nodule on the labial surface of his right mandiular gingiva canine tooth which was provisionally diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma. However, the histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation confirmed it as Schwannoma. After the surgery, the patient was kept under regular follow-up and there has been no evidence of recurrence during the last 15 months.