UNLABELLED: We present an unusual case of a patient with trigeminal pain and hypesthesia suggesting trigeminal schwannoma, where histology demonstrated an inflammatory lesion of the Gasserian ganglion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Patient history and imaging were typical for a trigeminal schwannoma with a dumbbell growth in the middle and posterior fossa. Surgery was performed and resection of a firm mass intermingled with fascicles originating from the ganglion and the mandibular branch was carried out via a subtemporal approach. Histological diagnosis revealed a non-caseating, vaguely granulomatous lymphocyte- and histiocyte-rich inflammation. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory lesions of the Gasserian ganglion are rare but may mimic tumors. Intraoperative biopsies should be taken prior to complete resection to limit neurological deterioration. Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.
UNLABELLED: We present an unusual case of a patient with trigeminal pain and hypesthesia suggesting trigeminal schwannoma, where histology demonstrated an inflammatory lesion of the Gasserian ganglion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:Patient history and imaging were typical for a trigeminal schwannoma with a dumbbell growth in the middle and posterior fossa. Surgery was performed and resection of a firm mass intermingled with fascicles originating from the ganglion and the mandibular branch was carried out via a subtemporal approach. Histological diagnosis revealed a non-caseating, vaguely granulomatous lymphocyte- and histiocyte-rich inflammation. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory lesions of the Gasserian ganglion are rare but may mimic tumors. Intraoperative biopsies should be taken prior to complete resection to limit neurological deterioration. Copyright Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.