What is the difference between a schwannoma and neurofibroma?
Both are benign nerve sheath tumors that originate within a nerve. It is usually not possible to differentiate these tumors on pre-operative MRI. Although neurofibromas are commonly associated with neurofibromatosis, solitary neurofibromas also occur in patients without this genetic disease. Schwannomas are usually easier to remove, considering they often originate from a single, small, nonfunctional nerve fascicle. Neurofibromas tend to be more infiltrative, often involving two or more nerve fascicles that may be functional. Occasionally, a functional fascicle may need to be sacrificed in order to completely remove a neurofibroma. Nevertheless, the risk of weakness, numbness, and pain after surgery is quite low for both types of tumors.
