Retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking a large adnexal mass during pregnancy: A case report of full-term delivery followed by postpartum surgical management

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of pelvic tumors detected during pregnancy ranges from 2 to 20 cases per 1000 pregnancies, representing an approximately 2- to 20-fold increase compared to that in the general population. The management of such tumors poses a clinical challenge for obstetricians, who must decide between expectant management, surgical intervention during pregnancy, or, in rare cases, termination of pregnancy. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a multiparous woman diagnosed with a large pelvic tumor at 18 weeks of gestation. After a thorough evaluation, surgical intervention was deferred until the postpartum period. The patient subsequently delivered a healthy term infant via vaginal delivery, and surgical tumor resection was performed via laparotomy at 6 weeks postpartum. Histopathological examination confirmed a benign retroperitoneal schwannoma, which is uncommon during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This case offers a potential approach to managing benign maternal adnexal or pelvic neoplasms when malignancy cannot be excluded antenatally.