Giant funicular intrapharyngeal schwannoma

✍ Scribed by Milan B. Jovanovic; Zoran S. Milutinovic; Mile S. Strbac; Jelena V. Perovic; Sanja A. Milenkovic

• Book ID: 102234279
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 178 KB
• Volume: 30
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.20754

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

Schwannoma is a rare solitary tumor of Schwann cell origin. The Schwann cell surrounds peripheral nerve tissue and is believed to originate from neural crest. Surgery presents main treatment for patients with schwannoma.

Methods

This is a report of a rare case of giant and bizarre‐shaped intrapharyngeal schwannoma. A 38‐year‐old woman with a very large schwannoma (25 cm × 6 cm × 4 cm), which gradually increased in size and with a progressive dysphagia, is presented.

Results

Schwannoma was detected by clinical and endoscopic examination and also with CT scan. Complete resection was achieved by external approach surgery.

Conclusions

The advantage of the lateral pharyngotomy with tracheotomy for complete excision of a mass is demonstrated. It provides an excellent operative exposure and recovery without impairment of breathing and deglutition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008