A giant schwannoma at the pterygopalatine fossa – A case report

Abstract

Schwannomas are rarely seen in pterygopalatine fossa (PPF). PPF is a complex anatomical location and is often difficult to assess. This tumor arises from the branches of the trigeminal nerve. Initially, this tumor at the PPF is removed by conventional extra-nasal technique. The open-access traditional method for removal of the tumor from PPF is often associated with morbidity. However, the advancement of an expanded endonasal approach enables the skull base surgeons to reach into PPF via a transnasal nasal approach. A 22-year-old female was presented with a headache on the right side for 1 month and right-side facial numbness for 15 days. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the tumor at the PPF. The patient underwent endoscopic removal of the tumor and the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma. The endoscopic transnasal approach provides adequate access to the PPF, therefore, it enables the removal of the tumor safely with little or no morbidity than the conventional approach.

Keywords

• endoscopic endonasal approach
• pterygopalatine fossa
• schwannoma
• skull base