Unsuspected schwannomas of the gallbladder

Abstract Schwannomas are neurogenic tumors that originate from the nerve sheaths of the peripheral nerves. Schwannomas arising from the gallbladder are extremely rare. In the present case, we report a 70-year-old man, who was admitted the hospital because of epigastric pain and jaundice. Based on the evidence of blood tests, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnosis of cholecystitis and cholangitis caused by stone was considered preoperatively. He underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. Microscopic examination revealed the gallbladder was composed of spindle-shaped cells with both hypocellular and hypercellular areas. Immunohistochemical analysis showed these cells were positive for S-100. Finally, the diagnosis was unsuspected schwannomas of the gallbladder, combined with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. During the follow-up, he has been doing well without recurrence.