Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurilemmoma is a benign neurogenic tumor of Schwann cells. It may occur in any peripheral nerve and is often found in the chest wall and the posterior mediastinum, but primary intrapulmonary neurilemmoma is extremely rare, accounting 0-2% of all lung tumors. We present two cases with pulmonary neurilemmoma that were observed at our Institute. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases of two men, 57 and 42 years old, presented to our hospital for a routine check. The chest radiography revealed a nodule in their left and the right lung respectively. Both patients underwent an operation for surgical resection. RESULTS: The excised specimens in both cases contained encapsulated, yellowish masses, measuring 2.5 and 5 cm, surrounded by normal parenchymal tissue. Histologically, they were composed of highly cellular areas of spindle-shaped cells (Antoni A) and less cellular areas (Antoni B) with loose myxoid stroma. The S-100 immunohistochemical stain was positive, leading to the diagnosis of neurilemmoma. CONCLUSIONS: Primary pulmonary neurilemmoma is a rare and slowly growing benign tumor and has been reported in patients of all ages. Prognosis is excellent after surgical excision.