GASTRIC MALIGNANT SCHWANNOMA IN A CHILD

Malignant schwannoma (malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, MPNST) is a high grade sarcoma with a potential for local recurrence and dis tant metastasis that may occur at any site in the body where there is neural tissue. MPNST is rare in children and is unreported in the stom ach in the paediatric age group. MPNST presents either as an expanding mass, with or without pain, or in the gastrointestinal tract with hae morrhage or obstruction. Many cases occur without evidence of neurofib romatosis but there is a reported association between MPNST and neurof ibromatosis of up to 50%. MPNST has a higher incidence at sites of pre vious irradiation. Treatment is by complete surgical excision. Radiolo gy is of value in initial diagnosis and staging prior to surgery. The definitive diagnosis is made on the histopathological appearance and i mmunohistochemical profile. The findings on barium meal, abdominal ult rasound and CT are presented.