Intercostal Nerve Schwannoma Encountered during a Rib-Latissimus Dorsi Osteomyocutaneous Flap Operation

Copyright 2015 The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Im ag es functions, surgical treatment is indicated [5]. The pathogenesis of peripheral osteoma has not been elucidated, but three hypotheses can be proposed according to its cause. First, the developmental theory suggests that peripheral osteomas result from developmental abnormalities, but this is not convincing because most patients have passed their growth phase. Second, the neoplastic theory contradicts the fact that osteoma proliferates extremely slowly. Third, the reactive theory can explain the case of osteoma that occurs after trauma. The subperiosteal hematic extravasation caused by the injury could have facilitated neoplastic degeneration of the injured tissues [4]. We report here a case of osteoma in the mandibular angle. As osteomas can induce clinical symptoms such as facial asymmetry and pain, clinicians must carefully conduct physical examinations during patients’ preliminary medical examination. Diagnosis can be made according to the results of preoperative evaluation and appropriate imaging tests, which can be the foundation for surgical planning. Through histological examination, and regular clinical and imaging follow-up after surgery, full recovery can be achieved. We believe that this study can be helpful for clinicians and researchers investigating facial osteoma. Fig. 5. The patient shows no swelling three years after the operation. References