Radiologic and pathologic evaluation for a large schwannoma of the sciatic nerve: A neglected cause of sciatica

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from the peripheral nerve sheath. Although they rarely involve the sciatic nerve, their presence may result in sciatica, a condition characterized by pain radiating along the course of the sciatic nerve from the buttock or gluteal region. Despite being an uncommon cause of sciatica, sciatic nerve schwannomas present diagnostic challenges and management complexities. Their occurrence within the sciatic nerve is frequently overlooked, underscoring the need for accurate diagnosis and individualized therapeutic strategies. Surgical intervention is the primary treatment modality for sciatic nerve schwannomas and is associated with highly favorable outcomes when an appropriate surgical approach is employed. In this report, we present a case of chronic sciatica caused by a large schwannoma. Our aim is to emphasize the critical role of comprehensive imaging techniques and meticulous pathological evaluation in achieving an accurate diagnosis and guiding effective treatment planning in such cases.

Keywords: Buttock pain, neurilemma, neurofibroma, sciatica, ultrasound.