Peripheral and cranial nerve sheath tumors-a clinical spectrum.

To analyze the incidence of nerve sheath tumors in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 5 years and review the literature. Medical case records from last 5 years were retrieved and histopathology and operative details were studied in a retrospective analysis. There is a slight male preponderance when it comes to nerve sheath tumors and acoustic schwannomas accounted for the largest fraction among schwannomas. Nerve sheath tumors include a wide spectrum of schwannomas, neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Hence combination of clinical, pathological and surgical expertise is needed to diagnose accurately.