A Case of Laparoscopic Partial Resection of Preoperatively Diagnosed Gastric Schwannoma

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman presented with a submucosal tumor, measuring approximately 20 mm in diameter, located in the gastric antrum. The tumor was identified when the patient underwent gastrointestinal fiberscopy. Gastric schwannoma was preoperatively diagnosed on endoscopic direct vision biopsy with an incision of the mucosa. We performed laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. Histopathological examination revealed spindle-shaped cells arranged in palisades. The specimen was positive for S-100 protein, but negative for desmin, α-SMA, c-kit, and CD34. Mitotic figures were rare. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a benign gastric schwannoma. Endoscopic images and findings of gastric schwannomas are not specific but similar to those of other submucosal tumors. Endoscopic direct vision biopsy with an incision of the mucosa was valuable for establishing the preoperative diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumor. In gastric schwannomas, laparoscopic surgery can be a useful and minimally invasive technique for treatment.