Cystic schwannoma mimicking a second branchial cleft cyst on computed tomography

Abstract

Schwannoma of the neck is a relatively uncommon tumor. Schwannoma present as insidious, slow-growing, painless masses, characteristics that often lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Cystic schanommas among schanommas are a rare entity. This is a case report of a cystic schwannoma presenting as the cystic lesion in the neck. We report the computed tomography (CT) findings in a 40-year-old female patient presented with a lateral neck mass histologically shown to be a schwannoma, but having certain radiographic features (like tail sign) commonly considered pathognomonic for a type III second branchial cleft cyst (BCC). It is very necessary to differentiate cystic schwannoma from other cystic lesions preoperatively. CT may misguide us for a benign cystic lesion like second BCC. Contrast magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound findings are very much helpful in differentiation of cystic schwannoma from other cystic lesions of the neck.

Keywords

• Cystic schwannoma
• tail sign
• type III second branchial cleft cyst