Schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve: Review of the literature based on an illustrative case.

Description

Schwannomas are benign tumours that originate from the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves. They are characterised by a slow growth tendency. Benign schwannomas represent 35% of the head and neck district tumours. Hypoglossal schwannomas account for 5% of non‑vestibular schwannomas, and malignant schwannomas occur very rarely. In the present case report, the case of a 49‑year‑old man who presented with paraesthesias in the left parotid and submandibular region, associated with sensation of foreign bodies and dysphagia for solids, is described. A clinical examination revealed the presence of an ovoid palpable mass in the lateral‑cervical region of the neck. The patient subsequently underwent excisional surgery, and neuropathological evaluation of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of benign schwannoma with Antoni areas A and B. Despite the rarity of schwannomas, this condition should be considered in differential diagnoses for masses localised in the neck, as in cases where they reach considerable sizes (>3 cm in diameter). Surgery therefore represents the first‑choice treatment.

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