Cervical Vagal Schwannoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Nerve sheath tumors arising from the cervical vagus nerve are rare. These tumors mostly present as asymptomatic, slowly growing masses in the lateral neck. The authors reported a case of vagal schwannoma in a healthy male patient with a small lump in his neck. The neck examination revealed a firm, non-tender, non-pulsatile mass measuring 3×3 cm in the upper part of the right neck at the level of the carotid bifurcation. No neurologic deficit was detected. Fine needle aspiration showed inconclusive results. The MRI findings were distinctive, enabling a diagnosis before surgery. The preferred treatment option was gross total resection while preserving the vagus nerve. Although the authors meticulously dissected the tumor from the nerve and the nerve trunk was preserved, postoperative complications of this case were ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis and hypoglossal nerve palsy. Complete surgical removal is crucial to prevent recurrence. The prognosis of the complete cure for benign neurogenic tumors in the neck is excellent.