Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour: an elusive diagnosis

• Published in: Indian journal of dental research Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 19 - 22
• Main Authors: Patil, Karthikeya, Mahima, V G, Ambika, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01-01-2007; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Care and treatment; CD57 Antigens - analysis; Dentistry; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Malignant nerve sheath tumour; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms - pathology; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein - analysis; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms - pathology; neurofibromatosis; Peripheral nerve diseases; S-100 protein; S100 Proteins - analysis; Sarcoma; Vimentin - analysis; United States
• ISSN: 0970-9290
• DOI: 10.4103/0970-9290.30917

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) also termed as spindle cell malignancy of the peripheral nerve Schwann cells or neurogenic sarcoma, represents approximately 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. This tumour is usually found in the lower extremities and only 10-12% of all lesions occur in the head and neck region, which makes it a rare entity. The diagnosis of MPNST has been described as one of the most difficult and elusive diagnosis in the soft tissue diseases because of its non-specific presentation both clinically and histopathologically. This was overcome by the use of immunohistochemistry. A case of MPNST of the left maxillary antrum in a 45 -year -old male patient is reported.