Peripheral nerve tumors of the orbit

Neurofibromas and schwannomas are orbital neoplasms with similar clinical a nd radiologic features. Solitary or circumscribed neurofibromas and schwann omas demonstrate slow progressive growth with ocular displacement and are a menable to surgical resection. Plexiform and diffuse neurofibromas are diff usely infiltrative in the orbit and periocular region, they are difficult t o resect, and they have a high rate of recurrence. Malignant peripheral ner ve tumors are rare, but they have a very high rate of recurrence and a low 5-year survival rate because of extension through the superior orbital fiss ure to the midbrain region. This article describes the clinical and radiolo gic features of peripheral nerve sheath tumors.