Cervical Vagal Schwannoma Causing Asymptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Compression

Abstract

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. We operated one patient for cervical schwannoma causing internal carotid artery (ICA) compression. The patient underwent en bloc excision via transcervical approach under general anesthesia. Pathological examination demonstrated the diagnosis of schwannoma. Our case shows that VNS can cause ICA compression and therefore brain ischemia.