Peripheral tumors of the intercostal nerves

Fewer than 10% of primary neural tumors of the chest originate peripherally from intercostal nerves; most neural tumors of the chest arise in the mediastinum. Most patients with primary tumors of the intercostal nerve are asymptomatic. We report a case of neurilemmoma arising from an intercostal nerve in a woman seen for severe pain in the chest wall. Resecting the tumor relieved the pain. Recent medical literature describing peripheral tumors of thoracic nerves is reviewed.