16601              NEUROFIBROMA ATTACHED TO SMALL BOWEL

The patient was a middle-aged woman who presented with a typical history of acute cholecystitis.  The diagnosis was confirmed at operation and the gallbladder was removed.  While the abdomen was open a tumour was found in the terminal ileum and was resected.

The specimen shows the spheroidal tumour measuring 9 x 6 x 7 cms attached by a broad pedicle to the serosal surface of the bowel.  The cut surface of the tumour is pale and fleshy, with many large areas of haemorrhage and opaque cell necrosis.  Histology shows a cellular tumour of neurogenic origin, with features of both neurofibroma and neurilemmoma.