Primary peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) of the thyroid gland are rare, accounting for <0.02% of all thyroid tumors worldwide (1). PNSTs may occur at any age, with the highest incidence between 40 and 60 years of age, without notable between-gender differences. PNST usually presents as a gradually enlarging mass of the thyroid, with non-specific symptoms and signs, which makes preoperative diagnosis difficult; curative surgery is currently the mainstay of treatment. PNSTs may be classified as benign or malignant (MPNSTs) and they often originate from anatomically discernible peripheral nerves. MPNSTs mostly occur between the ages of 20 and 50 years, presenting as asymptomatic nodules, or with symptoms including difficulty in breathing and weight loss, which are associated with a poor prognosis (2,3).

A 51-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of a slowly growing thyroid mass, without any history of dysphagia, hoarseness or weight loss. The physical examination revealed a non-tender, mobile nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid gland, ~30×20 mm in size with well-defined margins. Cervical lymphadenopathy was clinically absent and all the laboratory tests, including fT3, T3, fT4, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone and calcitonin were within the normal range. Ultrasonography revealed two adjacent, well-defined, hypoechogenic solid nodules within the left lobe of the thyroid gland, sized 25.4×15.5 and 14.4×9.1 mm (Fig. 2). Total excision of the thyroid gland was performed. A detailed pathological examination was conducted and the final diagnosis was benign PNSTs of the left lobe of the thyroid gland. To date, the patient has been followed up for 6 months and his thyroid hormone profile, other laboratory tests and thyroid ultrasonography findings are normal.

Primary PNSTs of the thyroid gland are classified into MPNSTs and benign PNSTs. The benign PNSTs may be further subclassified into neurofibromas and Schwannomas.

Neurofibromas mainly arise from peripheral or cutaneous nerves, and usually occur sporadically, although they may coexist with neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromas exhibit biallelic inactivation of the NF1 gene, which encodes the neurofibromin protein (4–6).

Schwannomas originate from neuronal sheath cells (also known as Schwann cells), and are usually slow-growing tumors presenting in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Schwannomas may lead to pressure symptoms resulting from direct compression of adjacent organs, such as the thyroid gland (7). As previously described, Schwannomas are grouped into two histological types: Type A is characterized by pallisading and spindle-shaped Schwann cells; and type B usually exhibits a sparsely cellular pattern with cystic degeneration (8).

The majority of patients with Schwannomas of the thyroid gland only present with a painless, slowly-growing mass, without any other symptoms (3). The ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scans usually reveal a well-delineated, solid nodule, wihtout involvement of the cervical lymph nodes (3,8). The laboratory results are usually within the normal range (3). It has been reported in one case that fine-needle aspiration was helpful in reaching a definitive diagnosis (9).

In the clinical setting, benign PNSTs should be carefully differentiated from MPNSTs. MPNSTs are a group of invasive tumors, which may result in a fatal outcome irrespective of administering aggressive adjuvant therapies (3,10). MPNSTs may efface the thyroid parenchyma in a fascicular pattern of growth; they are characterized by neural-appearing cells, increased cellularity, increased mitotic activity and focal necrosis (3). The immunohistochemical staining for S-100, CD34 and vimentin may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis (3).

Since the majority of the PNSTs of the thyroid gland are asymptomatic and fine-needle aspiration is not very efficient, it is difficult to reach a definitive a diagnosis prior to surgical removal (11,12). To the best of our knowledge, the reported outcomes of these patients are satisfactory, with a low recurrence rate (11–13).

In conclusion, PNSTs of the thyroid gland are rare and generally asymptomatic. Although the majority of these tumors are benign, surgical resection is required for the final diagnosis and is the main therapeutic option for symptomatic patients.