A rare case of sciatic nerve schwannoma presenting as posterior thigh swelling in a young female: A case report

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the sciatic nerve are rare and often present diagnostic challenges due to their deep location and non-specific symptoms. We report a case of a 33-year-old female who presented with a long-standing posterior thigh swelling associated with exertional pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined, contrast-enhancing lesion arising from the sciatic nerve with central necrosis, raising suspicion of schwannoma versus malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The patient underwent complete surgical excision under intraoperative nerve stimulation with preservation of neurological function. This case highlights the importance of meticulous imaging interpretation and nerve-preserving surgical techniques in managing sciatic nerve tumors.