Young pregnant woman with mild dysphagia: Diagnostic and treatment workup predicting laryngeal schwannoma

Martelli F,Squadrelli M,Spinato G,Santoro R,Mannelli G

doi:10.15761/jsin.1000207

Abstract

Young pregnant woman with mild dysphagia: Diagnostic and treatment workup predicting laryngeal schwannoma

Highlights

Schwannomas, known as neurinomas, are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from the Schwann cells of any nerve
We describe the case of a young woman presenting a schwannoma within her left false vocal fold, not suitable for endoscopic surgical approach
Symptoms mainly have to be referred to the mass effects

Summary

Introduction

Schwannomas, known as neurinomas, are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from the Schwann cells of any nerve (peripheral, cranial, or autonomic). Schwannomas originating within the larynx are instead uncommon, representing less than 1.5% of all the benign laryngeal tumours [2] They are thought to arise from the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the vast majority of the reported cases are supraglottic, affecting the false vocal cords or the aryepiglottic fold [3]. They are slow-growing neoplasms that typically appear on laryngoscopy as round submucosal swelling and patients usually report multiple symptoms related to mass-effects like dysphagia, odynophagia, hoarseness or dysphonia, globes sensation and dyspnea. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed the presence of a left false vocal cord submucosal mass, extended to the aryepiglottic fold, with maximum diameter of 2 cm, causing a mild obstruction of the laryngeal inlet. The patient did not refer any change in her voice or other symptoms related to laryngeal mucosa sensitivity deficit like dysphagia (Figure 3)

Discussion

Conclusion

Findings

Funding sources