Excision of massive orbital schwannoma through anterior orbital approach

Abstract

Orbital schwannomas are rare, benign, slowly progressing, encapsulated tumors arising from Schwann cells of the peripheral sheath of the third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerves and ciliary ganglion. The present case is of a 32-year-old male with painless protrusion of left eye for 4 years. It was radiologically diagnosed as retro-orbital hemangioma, but histopathologic examination of the orbital tumor showed orbital schwannoma. The rarity of orbital schwannomas among orbital tumors and improvement in vision along with retained eyelid functions despite excision of a massive tumor make this a unique case.