A Predictable Approach of a Rare and Frequently Misdiagnosed Entity: Laryngeal Nerve Schwannoma

Abstract

(1) Background: Schwannoma, a mesenchymal neoplasm derived from Schwann cells that line peripheral nerve sheaths, has a challenging diagnosis, due to the non-specific medical history and clinical examination. Nowadays, virtual reality (VR) is increasingly more used for enhancing diagnosis and for preoperative planning of surgical procedures. With VR, the surgeon can interact, before any surgery, with a virtual environment that is completely generated by a computer, offering them a real experience inside a virtual 3D model. (2) Methods and Results: The aim of the present paper was to present a case of surgically removal of a schwannoma, which originated from the fibers of the superior laryngeal nerve, in a predictable and minimally invasive fashion, upon using VR for diagnosis and surgical procedure planning. (3) Conclusions: The current clinical report attracted the attention of including schwannoma in the possible differential diagnosis of a swelling in the anterior cervical region, mainly when a nonspecific radiological appearance is noticed, even with the use of multiple imaging modalities. Virtual reality can increase the predictability and success rate of the surgical procedure, being in the meantime a good tool for communication with the patient.