Intracerebral schwannoma--a rare cause of epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION

We report a case of schwannoma occurring in an intra-axial location causing seizures.

CLINICAL PICTURE

A 13-year-old girl presented with a 4-month history of seizures. Preoperative computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancing right frontal lobe tumour with surrounding oedema.

TREATMENT

The patient underwent craniotomy and a well-circumscribed tumour was completely resected. Histology with immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of an intracerebral schwannoma.

OUTCOME

The patient made a complete recovery and was seizure-free at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Intracerebral schwannomas are rare, benign tumours. They may mimic astrocytomas or malignant tumours, and it is important to differentiate them from other neoplasms with less favourable outcomes. The neuroimaging features are, however, non-specific and definitive diagnosis can only be made on histology.