Schwannoma of the sinonasal tract: case report with review of the literature

Abstract

Schwannomas of the sinonasal tract are rare, accounting for <4% of head and neck schwannomas. We report the case of a 61-year-old male who presented with unilateral nasal symptoms. Examination and imaging revealed a unilateral polyp at the level of the middle turbinate, with an initial biopsy suggestive of an inflammatory polyp. Due to the persistence of the patient’s symptoms and his polyp despite medical therapy, endoscopic nasal polypectomy was performed. The histology surprisingly showed a schwannoma. No further interventions were carried out, and the patient remains disease-free 6 months postoperatively. A review of the literature comprising 60 cases is included. An optimal clinical approach to the investigation and management of schwannomas of the sinonasal tract is subsequently discussed.