KTP 532 laser excision of lingual schwannoma: a case report

Abstract

<p class="abstract">Schwannoma is a benign slow-growing tumour that arises from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The head and neck are common locations of this neoplasm. Intraoral schwannoma is uncommon, with the tongue being the most common site. The tumor can remain asymptomatic for a long period of time. The patient may present with symptoms such as a lump, swallowing difficulty, pain or discomfort, voice change, paresthesia, snoring, bleeding or ulceration. The tumor is usually slow-growing, solitary and well-encapsulated and malignant transformation is very rare. Sudden enlargement of the tumor can occur even from trivial trauma. Only approximately 50% of these tumors have a close relationship with a nerve. Transoral resection is the treatment modality of choice. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry help in confirmation of the diagnosis. Recurrence of the tumor is very rare. This is a case report of a 26-years-old lady with schwannoma in the ventral surface of the tongue successfully treated by transoral resection with the KTP-532 Laser. </p>