# Case report: Initial presentation of pancreatic schwannoma as cystic pancreatic mass treated with classic Whipple’s procedure

## TL;DR

A rare pancreatic tumor called schwannoma was mistaken for a cystic mass and successfully treated with surgery.

## Contribution

This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of pancreatic schwannomas and their management through surgical resection.

## Key findings

- Pancreatic schwannomas can mimic other pancreatic tumors on imaging, leading to diagnostic difficulties.
- Complete surgical resection, such as the Whipple procedure, results in excellent long-term outcomes.
- Histological and immunohistochemical analysis is crucial for confirming the diagnosis.

## Abstract

Pancreatic schwannomas are exceedingly rare tumors arising from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath within the pancreas. Often asymptomatic or presenting with nonspecific symptoms, these tumors pose a diagnostic challenge due to their mimicry of other pancreatic neoplasms on imaging studies. Histologically, pancreatic schwannomas demonstrate spindle cell proliferation with a distinct Immunohistochemical profile, including positive staining for S-100 protein. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, with excellent long-term prognosis following complete excision. Here, we present a case report of a pancreatic schwannoma in a woman presenting with a cystic pancreatic mass, underscoring the importance of considering this rare entity in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic lesions.