Middle supraclavicular nerve schwannoma

Abstract

Supraclavicular nerve schwannoma is very rare tumor present in head and neck region. We are reporting an interesting case of Middle Supraclavicular nerve schwannoma. A 28 year old female patient presented to us with left supraclavicular swelling since 1 year. She was diagnosed differently initially four times as having connective tissue neoplasm, tuberculous lymphadenitis, reactive lymphadenitis and granulomatous lymphadenitis by different surgeons. She was referred to our institute from Akola for further management. After all investigations she was subjected to excisional biopsy and her histopathological report came suggestive of schwannoma. Post-op no neurological deficit was observed. She was discharged on fourth day post operatively.

Supraclavicular nerve schwannoma: a rare differential diagnosis for a neck lump

“…3 Supraclavicular nerve schwannomas can be easily misdiagnosed as an enlarged supraclavicular lymph node. 1 Fine needle aspiration can be utilised with diagnostic imaging modalities, which include a combination of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging provides the greatest comparison to operative findings in detailing the extent of the extra-cranial schwannomas.…”

“…Supraclavicular nerve schwannomas are very rare in occurrence such that case reports are scarce in the literature. 1 Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours that arise from Schwann cells which surround the peripheral nerve. They are neuroectodermal in origin, containing no axonal or perineural tissue and can arise in the head and neck region.…”

“…3 Supraclavicular nerve schwannomas are often easily mistaken for lymph nodes because of the clinical physical signs and radiological appearance. 1 Fine needle aspiration can be utilised with a combination of diagnostic imaging modalities namely ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.…”

“…These encapsulated tumours are yellow or grey in appearance and are of a round or oval shape. 1 Macroscopic appearances of the schwannoma are similar to localised neurofibroma, which are characterised by the presence of varying amount of cellular elements and collagen but localised neurofibromas are not encapsulated. Histological appearances are key in differentiating the schwannoma from its differentials.…”