Short communication, Note

Schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain – case report

Vladimir Bauer orcid.org/0000-0001-8642-5429 ; Služba za otorinolaringologiju, Opća bolnica Karlovac, Karlovac
Zorica Alerić ; Služba za otorinolaringologiju, Opća bolnica Karlovac, Karlovac

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this paper is to present a case of a rare tumor of an uncommon localization, describe the diagnostic pathway, treatment and outcome with the final diagnosis
confirmed by the pathohistologic analysis. Case report: We present a case of a 49-year-old man with a large cervicomediastinal Schwannoma, treated with surgical excision. This benign tumor originated from the fibers of inferior sympathetic ganglion of the cervical sympatethic chain. Computerized tomography scan, ultrasound examination of the neck, and finally intraoperative exploration confirmed this schwannoma’s rare origin. The tumor grew without any symptoms. The diagnostic procedure was started because of high sedimentation
rate, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Discussion and conclusion: Schwannomas
are benign tumors which originate from the Schwann nerve sheat cells. Approximately
25-40% of them are located in head and neck region. Those originating from sympathetic chain and ganglions are extremly rare with only 50 cases described in the literature. Only two of them originated from inferior cervical sympathetic ganglion. In this paper we emphasise
the importance of detailed care for every symptom and sign of any disease, having in mind rare and less expectable options.

Keywords

cervical sympathetic chain; cervicomediastinal tumor; extracranial schwannoma; neurilemoma; schwannoma

Hrčak ID:

71761

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/71761

Publication date:

5.9.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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