TWO CASES OF VAGUS NEURINOMA OF THE NECK

Abstract

We describe two cases of vagus neurinoma of the neck, together with a discussion of therapeutic problems arising from a review of 56 cases reported in Japan. Case 1 was a 27-year-old male who complained of a tumor on the left side of the neck. Palpation revealed a 5×3 cm, smooth surface, elastic-hard, and unmovable tumor at the anterior margin of sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck. Under general anesthesia enucleation was carried out. During the operation, both upper and lower poles of the tumor were found to present with chordal structures and to be connected to the vagus nerve, and aftet by dividing the vagus nerve, the tumor was extripated. Histologically it was a neurinoma having Antoni type A and B. Immediately after surgery the patient became irreversively hoarse due to recurrent nerve paralysis. Case 2 was a 31-year-old male complaining of a right cervical tumor. Perioperatively, it was definitely diagnosed as vagus neurinoma. The tumor was very small and was presumed to have little possibility of malignancy. Accordingly only partial biopsy was carried out to avoid postopeative complications. In the treatment of vagus neurinoma of the neck, total or subcapsular extirpation should be applied as a rule. However, it may be appropriate for a case without malignancy to avoid extirpation and observe the course.