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Schwannoma of the neck

Case contributed by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Painless neck mass.

Patient Data

Age: 16 years
Gender: Female
ct

Well defined oval shaped enhancing mass is noted at right upper cervical region. Small focus of calcification is present within the mass. The mass is located between the sternoclidomastoid muscle and main cervical vessels at the right side. Internal jugular vein and common carotid artery and its main branches are displaced medially by the mass and there are no frank evidence of local invasion. Several prominent lymph nodes are identified at right anterior cervical spaces.

Case Discussion

Extracranial head and neck schwannomas typically present as an asymptomatic neck mass. Obstructive symptoms may occur if the tumor gains enough size to compress on the upper aerodigestive tract. The pressure effect on the nerve of origin can also cause nerve dysfunction. If a major nerve is involved, nerve palsy, e.g. vocal cord palsy, Horner’s syndrome, sensory or motor dysfunction of the upper limb may result.

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