Schwannoma of Ansa-Cervicalis: A Rare Location for Schwannoma.

Abstract

Schwannomas are rare neoplasms that originate from the nervous system. We describe a case of schwannoma of the ansa-cervicalis in a patient where preoperative imaging is suggestive of glomus caroticum tumor. A 44-year-old man presented to the surgical oncology department with a recurrent anterior triangle neck swelling. Magnatic resonance ımaging (MRI) demonstrated right enhancing soft tissue mass at the carotid bifurcation consistent with glomus tumor. Intraoperatively, the lesion was found abuting the bifurcatuion and arising from the right ansa-cervicalis. Histopathology evaluation revealed schwannoma. Schwannoma of the ansa-cervicalis is extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. Making the preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Preoperative imaging is necessary to rule out other causes of neck masses such as thyroid lesions, lymphadenopathy, and carotid body tumor. Verocay bodies were noted on histology. Schwannoma of cervical region can have origin from any nerve. Any Neurologic post-operative deficit depends on the nerve of origin and the precision of the surgery performed.