A 35 year-old man presented with pain in his right thigh. He was sent to our department for a thorough MR examination.
A 35 year-old man, complaining of a persistent pain in his right thigh, applied to the orthopedics department, and then was sent to the radiology department for a thorough MR examination. His plain X-rays had not revealed any specific findings. An MR examination was performed with a 0.2T open scanner, and multiple scans were obtained, the T1W images being both before and after contrast administration. The interesting finding was a contrast enhancing lesion of about 22x8x7 mm of size, at the medial aspect of the cortex of the proximal-mid section of the right femur. The lesion had the appearance of a faint hypointense focus at pre-contrast T1W images; and it was hyperintense at the T2W and STIR sequences. The borders of the lesion were sharp; and no suspicious wide transition zones were detected. The lesion was considered most probably as a benign one; and the patient was operated. A widely-excised curettage was performed at the operation; and the pathology result came as schwannoma.
Schwannomas are rare benign neurogenic tumors that arise from the Schwan cells of the peripheral nervous system. Their most frequently encountered localizations are the head and neck area. Extracranial schwannomas are most often located in the deep soft tissues. Intraosseous tumor types are rare, the mandible being the most common site. Fewer than 200 cases of intraosseous schwannomas are reported in the literature. These tumors are well-defined lytic lesions, rarely associated with pathologic fractures. The mandible is the most frequently involved bone. Three cases involving the humerus are reported. As long as we know from our literature research, our case might be the first one in which the femoral cortex is affected, and also in which the lesion was detected first and mainly by MRI. A differential diagnostic list might include non-ossifying fibroma, chondroma, and/or chondromyxoid fibroma.
Intraosseous Schwannoma of the Femur
Based on the provided MRI sequence images, the following findings are noted:
Based on the patient’s age (35 years), symptoms (right thigh pain), and imaging findings (localized cortical lytic lesion with clear margins, high T2 signal on MRI), the following diagnoses or differential diagnoses should be considered:
Taking into account the patient's age, clinical presentation (local pain), and imaging characteristics (localized lytic lesion, high signal on MRI, no significant large soft tissue involvement), as well as case reports of the rare intraosseous schwannoma, the most likely diagnosis in this case is:
Intraosseous Schwannoma.
Because intraosseous schwannoma is uncommon, further confirmation is recommended via surgical exploration and histopathological examination (biopsy) under the evaluation of an orthopedic specialist to rule out other possible bone tumors.
The general strategies for managing intraosseous schwannoma or other benign bone tumors typically include:
In terms of rehabilitation training and exercise prescriptions, emphasis should be placed on a gradual, individualized approach, following the FITT-VP principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, Progression):
Until bone stability is fully restored or when dealing with juvenile/young adult bone characteristics, it is crucial to avoid strenuous activities or heavy loads that could trigger fractures or worsen the condition.
Throughout the rehabilitation process, close coordination with orthopedic and rehabilitation specialists is necessary. Regular imaging follow-up is recommended to monitor lesion changes and cortical bone repair, allowing timely adjustments to treatment and training plans.
Disclaimer: This report provides a reference analysis based on the available information and does not replace in-person consultations or the judgment of a professional physician. Patients should base their final diagnosis and treatment plan on their specific circumstances under the guidance of qualified medical professionals.
Intraosseous Schwannoma of the Femur