Peripheral nerve tumors of the orbit

• Published in: The Radiologic clinics of North America Vol. 37; no. 1; p. 195
• Main Authors: Carroll, G S, Haik, B G, Fleming, J C, Weiss, R A, Mafee, M F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1999
• Subjects: Disease Progression; Humans; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology; Neurilemmoma - diagnosis; Neurilemmoma - pathology; Neurofibroma - diagnosis; Neurofibroma - pathology; Orbital Neoplasms - diagnosis; Orbital Neoplasms - pathology; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - diagnosis; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - pathology; Prognosis; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 0033-8389
• DOI: 10.1016/S0033-8389(05)70087-7

Neurofibromas and schwannomas are orbital neoplasms with similar clinical and radiologic features. Solitary or circumscribed neurofibromas and schwannomas demonstrate slow progressive growth with ocular displacement and are amenable to surgical resection. Plexiform and diffuse neurofibromas are diffusely infiltrative in the orbit and periocular region, they are difficult to resect, and they have a high rate of recurrence. Malignant peripheral nerve tumors are rare, but they have a very high rate of recurrence and a low 5-year survival rate because of extension through the superior orbital fissure to the midbrain region. This article describes the clinical and radiologic features of peripheral nerve sheath tumors.