Cureus. 2024 Nov;16(11): e74589
Schwannomas are rare, benign tumours arising from Schwann cells, with oesophageal cases representing a small fraction. Their variety of symptoms and nonspecific imaging features often make preoperative diagnosis challenging, frequently requiring immunohistochemical staining for confirmation. We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with progressive dysphagia, found to have a subepithelial mass at the gastroesophageal junction (GOJ). Imaging and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed an oesophageal schwannoma. The patient underwent robotic-assisted thoracoscopic excision, which allowed for precise tumour removal while avoiding a more extensive oesophagectomy. Intraoperatively, two distinct lobular tumours were identified and successfully excised without compromising the oesophageal mucosa. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well with resolution of symptoms and no evidence of residual tumour on follow-up imaging. This case highlights the potential of robotic-assisted approaches for treating oesophageal schwannomas, which can offer advantages in complex resections by improving surgical precision and reducing morbidity. Despite promising outcomes, robotic-assisted enucleation of oesophageal schwannomas remains rare, with few cases documented. This case supports robotic resection of oesophageal schwannomas as a feasible option in specialized settings, but further studies are needed to establish its role and develop recommendations.
Keywords: esophageal tumor; gastro-esophageal surgery; minimally invasive surgical procedures; robotic surgical management; robotic surgical procedures; robotic thorascopic surgery; schwannoma; surgical enucleation; upper gi surgery; upper gi tumor