Schwannoma of the Tongue: Ultrasonography

Abstract

Schwannoma is a rare benign tumor originated from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Other common names are neurilemmoma, neurinoma, and neurinoma of Verocay. The tumor is encapsulated and shows slow growth reaching even the 8.5-cm size. The purpose of this paper is to provide clinical presentation, sonogram and ultrasound video of schwannoma of the tongue, its analysis along with intraoperative and histopathological data. A 27-year-old female patient with tongue schwannoma is presented and analysis of the published schwannoma cases in different anatomical areas is performed. Distinctive sonographic features of this type of tumor are showed and comparison with the other tongue masses is highlighted. Ultrasonography proved its efficacy as a first-line diagnostic tool which needs to be popularized among oral and maxillofacial surgeons.