Solid-Cystic Hypoglossal Nerve Schwannoma with Fluid-Fluid Level: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Schwannomas (neurinoma, neurilemmoma) are benign slow-growing encapsulated tumours originating from well-differentiated myelinproducing Schwann cells or nerve fiber sheet cells at the glial-Schwann cell junction. Hypoglossal nerve schwannoma mostly develops in the intracranial and extra-cranial segment or in both intracranial and extra-cranial segment forming a dumbbell shape tumour. The peripheral hypoglossal schwannomas are very rare. We present a case of right hypoglossal nerve schwannoma in a 46-year-old female who presented with headache and neck pain since 2 weeks with deviation of tongue to right side since 1 week. Patient was investigated with Computed Tomography (CT) scan of head and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain, which showed a dumb-bell shaped solid-cystic mass lesion with fluid-fluid level in right cerebello-pontine angle cistern.

Keywords

• cranial nerves
• cystic
• nerve sheath
• tumour