Received: 4 June 2002 Revised: 2 August 2002 Accepted: 19 August 2002 Published online: 12 October 2002 © Springer-Verlag 2002 Abstract A noteworthy case of a benign schwannoma of the prostate in a 65-year-old man not in connec- tion with genetic neurofibromatoses is reported. A 12-mm nodular hypo- echoic lesion in the peripheral gland was seen at transrectal ultrasound, but diagnosis could be achieved only by transrectal echo-guided biopsy. Keywords Schwannoma · Prostate · Ultrasound · Biopsy Eur Radiol (2003) 13:2046–2048 DOI 10.1007/s00330-002-1699-1 UROGENITAL Giampiero Francica Sergio Bellini Antonio Miragliuolo Schwannoma of the prostate: ultrasonographic features Introduction Schwannomas are primary tumors that arise from the Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath and are commonly seen in the clinical setting of inheritable dis- orders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (also known as von Recklinghausen’s disease) [1, 2]. Most lesions affect the trunk, head and neck, and upper and lower extremi- ties, and visceral involvement is infrequent. Histologi- cally, they are built up with spindle cells (Antoni type-A tissue) and a loose, myxoid component (Antoni type-B tissue), with different representation in the single case [1, 2]. Isolated visceral location of schwannoma not in con- nection with genetic disorders are exceedingly rare: me- dium to large masses often with cystic and hemorrhagic changes have been reported on at the level of porta hepa- tis [3], renal capsule [4] mediastinum, and mesentery [2]. In the gastrointestinal tract schwannomas present as polypoid, ulcerated lesions [5]. Schwannomas are often asymptomatic space-occupying lesions, but symptoms and signs depend on the site and dimension of the tumor. Prostatic involvement in genetic neurofibromatosis has been occasionally described, but imaging findings (often limited to MR exam) have been rarely reported [6, 7]. Herein, we describe a case of prostatic schwannoma without generalized neurofibromatosis, incidentally found at transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and diagnosed through US-guided biopsy. Case report In June 2001, a 65-year-old man was seen owing to a previous di- agnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. He referred only mild symptoms of prostatism and a transabdominal US examination performed 4 months previously had displayed an enlarged, adeno- matous gland. G. Francica ( ✉ ) Unità Operativa di Ecografia Diagnostica ed Interventiva, Presidio Sanitario Camilliani “S.M. della Pietà”, Via S. Rocco 9, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy e-mail: giampierofrancica@libero.it Tel.: +39-81-7580222 Fax: +39-81-5403218 S. Bellini · A. Miragliuolo Unità Operativa di Urologia, Presidio Sanitario Camilliani “S.M. della Pietà”, Via S. Rocco 9, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy