Challenging diagnosis of cervical vagal nerve schwannoma

Abstract

Abstract Schwannoma arising from vagal nerve is a rare tumour. It is a slow-growing, benign mass, but rarely it might undergo malignant transformation. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with asymptomatic Xth cranial nerve schwannoma in the left side of the neck. Initially, during the ultrasound examination, the tumour was misconceived to be a malignant lymph node. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of it. Histopathological examination revealed typical features of schwannoma. Clinical diagnose of cervical vagal nerve schwannoma is difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging is as an accurate diagnostic tool for these tumours. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.