Incidentally Found Olfactory Schwannoma: A Rare Case Report.

BACKGROUND

Olfactory nerve schwannomas are sporadic, benign neurogenic tumors arising from Schwann cells within the olfactory pathway. Their clinical presentation is typically nonspecific, and diagnosis often requires careful radiologic and histopathologic evaluation.

CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 19-year-old male patient with an olfactory schwannoma that was incidentally discovered during evaluation for head trauma. The patient was asymptomatic, with preserved olfactory function.

MANAGEMENT AND

RESULTS

The patient underwent complete surgical excision via bifrontal craniotomy. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated positivity for S100, CD34, and Bcl-2, and negativity for GFAP and EMA, confirming the diagnosis of schwannoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, with full preservation of olfactory nerve function, and the patient was discharged in stable condition on postoperative day 7.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the clinical significance of recognizing olfactory schwannomas, which may be discovered incidentally. Comprehensive imaging and histopathological evaluation are crucial for accurate diagnosis. Early detection and total resection contribute to favorable neurological outcomes in asymptomatic patients.