Primary intraocular ancient schwannoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Schwannomas comprise 8% to 10% of all primary intracranial tumors. Primary intraorbital schwannomas are rare, accounting for 1% to 2% of all intracranial tumors. Schwannomas arise from Schwann cells in the myelin sheaths of sensory and cranial nerves. METHODS We present the case of a 56-year-old white man blind since 1970 who presented to an outside hospital for a painful right eye. Physicians identified no clinical or radiologic features of neurofibromatosis. RESULTS The patient underwent enucleation; the final pathologic diagnosis was ancient schwannoma. CONCLUSION We describe herein a case of intrascleral schwannoma with ancient changes arising within the globe of the right eye occupying the subretinal space and completely replacing the vitreous body.