Post-Traumatic Schwannoma Of The Infraorbital Nerve: A Case Report

Schwannomas are benign tumors arising from perineural Schwann cells that are typically slow-growing. This case report described an 8-year-old boy with a post-traumaitc schwannoma of the infraorbital nerve, which were inherent rare. An 8-year-old boy admitted to our institution with the complaints of right facial swelling persisting for one year following blunt trauma. Based on examinations, the clinical diagnosis was a benign mass in the right infraorbital area. A simple mass excision through intraoral approach was chosen to minimize facial scar. During surgery, the mass was found to be densely adherent to the infraorbital nerve. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was schwannoma. There were very little literature about the infraorbital nerve Schwannoma has been reported. And this patient's epidemiology factors were not so typical. We still don't have a complete explanation for how schwannomas develop. The most recognized theory is Schwannomas derive from tumorigenic Schwann cells, caused by the Nf2 gene mutations . But more basic research found that external pressure or trauma could be an important trigger. There were some case reports of trauma-related schwannomas. But the hierachy of evidence in both basic research and case reports are very low. So, large-scale clinical studies remain imperative to further investigation. We highlight the importance of considering schwannoma in the differential diagnosis of facial mass related with trauma, especially when localized to nerve-rich regions. A better understanding of schwannoma development, may add to the clinical care of patients with this rare tumor.