vagal schwannoma

RATIONALE: Schwannomas are benign tumors wrapped in the nerve sheath and can originate from the myelin sheath of the cranial nerve. In previous literature reports, most of the tumors were solid tumors, which can be removed only by surgery. This case report describes a unique case of vagal schwannoma, which, unlike previous cases, involves a dominant arterial supply, and discusses the pre-operative evaluation, relevant radiographic findings, and surgical process of the case in detail. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 31-year-old woman sought treatment for pain in the left side of the neck when turning her head...

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the ultrasonography (US) characteristics of carotid space schwannoma and their role in identifying the nerve of origin. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled patients with cervical carotid space schwannoma accessible by US. The US characteristics of vagus nerve schwannomas (VNSs) and sympathetic nerve schwannomas (SNSs) were assessed; a carotid space schwannoma was defined as a VNS if the tumor originated in the mid-vagal region and an SNS if it arose posterior to the intact vagus nerve, displacing the vagus nerve anteriorly...

PURPOSE: In this benign tumor entity, preservation of cranial nerve function is of special importance. Due to its advantageous physical properties, proton beam radiotherapy (PRT) is a promising approach that spares healthy tissue. Could PRT go along with satisfactory preservation rates for cranial nerve function without compromising tumor control in patients with cranial nerve schwannoma unsuitable for stereotactic radiosurgery? METHODS: We analyzed 45 patients with cranial nerve schwannomas who underwent PRT between 2012 and 2020 at our institution...

We describe an unusual case of a young girl presenting with a large vagal schwannoma necessitating a transcervical-mandibulotomy approach for total tumor resection. The presentation is unique due to the size of the lesion, the patient's age, the operative approach, and molecular pathology.

Skull base vagal nerve schwannoma (VNS) is relatively uncommon and poses a challenge to surgeons. Although schwannomas are benign and slowly growing neoplasms arising from Schwann cells, they may cause significant dysfunction by causing the surrounding structures compression or infiltrating vital structures such as the skull base, the orbit, and the cranial nerves. These tumors are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Complete surgical removal is the optimal treatment modality, with recurrence being rare...

Tapia's syndrome, a unilateral, extracranial combined lesion to the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve [CN] XII) and the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagal nerve (CN X), has been observed to occur after general anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures. Surgical intraoperative neck positioning and airway management are hypothesized as causative factors. The condition presents with ipsilateral motor paralysis of the tongue and vocal cords. Postoperatively, patients often present with dysphonia, dysphagia, and difficulty swallowing...

PURPOSE: Different therapeutic strategies have been developed to improve surgical and functional outcome of parapharyngeal space (PPS) neoplasms. The transparotid-transcervical approach (TTa) is a valid surgical option to manage most PPS tumors. Its short- and long-term disease control and cranial nerve (c.n.) function outcomes have not been discussed extensively. METHODS: All patients who underwent TTa over a 10-year period at a tertiary academic center were retrospectively reviewed...

An 70-year-old woman was reffered to our hospital to examine for a left lower lobe atelectasis on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed the mass in middle mediastinum. The video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery( VATS) was performed to establish diagnosis and treat. 50 mm mass was found in the area surrounded by the descending thorasic aorta, esophagus, left atrium, left lower lobe, and mesiastinal pleura, and was regarded as a neurogenic tumor originating from the pulmonary branch of the vagal nerve...

PURPOSE: We present a prospective case series that aimed to report the functional (voice and swallowing) outcomes of delayed laryngeal reinnervation following vagal interruption by resection of vagal paraganglioma and schwannoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dedicated, anonymized database was established in 2012 with a minimum eighteen-month follow up set for this report. Internationally validated self- and observer-reported measures were recorded preoperatively and at six, 12 and, 18 months together with demographics, diagnoses, and operative details...

PURPOSE: Parapharyngeal space neoplasms (PSNs) are rare tumors of the head and neck region. In this study, we report our institutional experience with PSNs over a 27-years period. METHODS: Patients treated between 1992 and 2018 were identified through our tumor board database. Data concerning demographics, clinical presentation, disease features, treatment, complications and follow-up were obtained retrospectively. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients were identified...

We present a case of a sizeable vagal schwannoma that was resected through a lateral suboccipital approach in semisitting position. An extra-axial lesion, occupying the left cerebellomedullary cistern and extending from the pontomedullary junction to the jugular foramen was incidentally discovered in a 40-year-old woman afflicted with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis during repeated magnetic resonance imaging ( Fig. 1 ). On physical examination, a mild deviation of the uvula to the right and a diminished gag reflex were observed...

A 73-year-old man visited his family doctor with complaints of cough and breathlessness. Right pleural effusion was detected by chest X-ray. Computed tomography(CT) showed a huge mass 13×11 cm in the right mediastinum along with right pleural effusion and atelectasis of the right middle and lower lobes. Surgery was performed 4 days after admission. Although the tumor was huge, it could be successfully removed. The symptoms improved and the patient was discharged after 10 days of surgery. Pathological examination revealed vagal nerve schwannoma with no malignant features...

Schwannomatosis with mediastinal vagal schwannoma is rare. A 71-year-old man presented with multiple mediastinal tumors by a regular check-up. A chest computed tomography showed well-defined round tumors along with the 3rd intercostal nerve and in the left upper mediastinal area. A percutaneous biopsy specimen of the tumor suggested benign tumor, however surgical excision was performed for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. The histological diagnosis was schwannoma. Since the tumor originated from the mediastinal vagal nerve proximal to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and was suggested to be benign, it was not resected to preserve the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve...

BACKGROUND: Schwannoma originating from the cervical vagus nerve is a rare neoplasm. Vagal nerve schwannoma (VNS) usually occurs between the third and fifth decades of life. METHODS: We operated one patient for cervical schwannoma causing internal carotid artery (ICA) compression. RESULTS: The patient underwent en bloc excision via transcervical approach under general anesthesia. Pathological examination demonstrated the diagnosis of schwannoma...

Vagal schwannomas are rare, benign tumors. Intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring via selective stimulation of splayed motor fibers running on the schwannoma surface to elicit a compound muscle action potential has been previously reported as a method of preserving vagal motor fibers. In this case report, vagal sensory fibers are mapped and continuously monitored intraoperatively during high vagus schwannoma resection using the laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR). Mapping of nerve fibers on the schwannoma surface enabled identification of sensory fibers...

BACKGROUND: Vagal schwannomas are rare, benign tumors of the head and neck. Nerve damage during surgical resection is associated with significant morbidity. A new technique of continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) that allows for real-time intraoperative feedback has recently been used for thyroid and cervical spine surgeries but has not previously been used in vagal schwannoma surgery. METHODS: Case series of three patients who underwent vagal schwannoma excision utilizing this novel IONM technique...

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas, benign tumors arising from neurolemmocytes, are the most common type of peripheral nerve tumors. Extracranial schwannomas are most often found in the parapharyngeal space, commonly involving the vagus nerve to cervical sympathetic trunk. Vagal schwannomas present several unique clinical and therapeutic challenges. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on 197 articles reporting 235 cases of cervical vagal schwannomas. Presenting symptoms, treatment approach, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed...

We present a rare intracranial vagal schwannoma along with its preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative course.

BACKGROUND: Paraganglioma of head and neck is a rare tumor and vagal schwannoma is even rarer. The majority of patients with vagal schwannoma presents with a lateral neck mass. Its management is delicate as the need to confirm the diagnosis by histopathology via a biopsy is contraindicated. Here, is a case of a young female with vagal schwannoma complicated with hoarseness after the biopsy of the mass, which persists after extirpation of the tumor. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 22-year old lady presented with a history of a right neck mass for a 5-months duration...

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from Schwann cells of the myelin sheath. The cystic appearance of a cervical vagal schwannoma is an extremely rare finding, with few patients reported in the literature. A 60-year-old female patient was seen at our service for a slow-growing, 9 × 6 cm left-sided cystic neck mass. Preoperative clinical and computed tomography evaluation suggested a diagnosis of a lateral neck cyst. The surgical exploration through the lateral cervicotomy revealed a large cystic mass and clearly identified that the tumor was originating from the left vagal nerve...