Question:

A 20-year-old man presents with swelling of the wrist for the last two years. Histopathological examination shows spindle-shaped cells and Verocay bodies. What is the diagnosis?

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Palisading nuclei forming a named body point to one nerve sheath tumour.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Lipoma
  • Dermoid cyst
  • Neurofibroma
  • Schwannoma
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The key histological clue is spindle-shaped cells with Verocay bodies.
Step 2: Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumour of Schwann cells. Microscopically it shows cellular, compact Antoni A areas alternating with loose, hypocellular Antoni B areas. Within Antoni A zones, the nuclei line up in palisades around eosinophilic processes to form Verocay bodies, which is pathognomonic.
Step 3: Nerve fibres are stretched over the capsule, not within the tumour, and the cells are strongly S-100 positive. Neurofibroma, by contrast, has nerve fibres running through it and lacks Verocay bodies.
Conclusion: Verocay bodies make the diagnosis schwannoma.
Ref: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease.
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