Extracranial head and neck schwannomas: A series of 14 patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate patients operated due to extracranial head and neck schwannomas. Patients and Methods:A total of 14 patients (6 males, 8 females; mean age 42.6 years; range 7 to 73 years) who were treated for extracranial head and neck schwannomas between January 1995 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, tumor location, surgery, and clinical characteristics of the patients were discussed in light of the literature.Results: All patients were evaluated radiologically and with fine needle aspiration biopsy preoperatively. Total removal of the tumor was achieved in all patients. All tumors had benign character. Mean follow-up period was 14 months. Recurrence or malignancy was not detected in any patient.Conclusion: Schwannomas may present in a variety of sites in the head and neck region, and cause usually non-specific symptoms. Therefore, the preoperative diagnosis requires a clinical suspicion. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging is a useful and simple method for diagnosis. Sonuç: Schwannomlar baş boyun bölgesinde farklı alanlarda ortaya çıkabilir ve genellikle non-spesifik semptomlara yol açar. Bu nedenle, tanı için klinik şüpheye ihtiyaç vardır. Ameliyat öncesi manyetik rezonans görüntüleme tanı için yararlı ve kolay bir yöntemdir.Anahtar Sözcükler: Baş boyun neoplazmları; sinir kılıfı neoplazmları; nörilemmom; Schwann hücreleri.

Head and Neck Schwannomas: A Tertiary Referral Single-Center Experience

“…[4] Although such tumours may occur at any age, it has been reported that they are most commonly seen between the ages of 20 and 50, with no significant differences in terms of ethnicity or sex. [5][6][7] In the present study, the majority of patients were between the ages of 20-50 years (n=19, 61%) and the peak occurrence in this sample was in the patients' thirties. Therefore, schwannomas should always be included in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses in both sexes in both middle and old age.…”

“…On the other hand, since tumours arise from the nerve sheath, even with highly delicate and careful surgery, it is very likely that patients who have no neurological deficit prior to surgery may develop neurological deficits postsurgically. Çakır et al [6] reported a failure rate of 57% in protecting the nerve of origin in their extracranial head and neck schwannoma cases. Therefore, the surgical decision should be informed by an evaluation of the nerve of origin and its likely impact on the patient's quality of life if a postoperative deficit occurs.…”