Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology (Nov 2017)

Retropharyngeal Space Schwannoma: A Rare Entity

  • Stefania Gallo,
  • Francesco Bandi,
  • Marco Maffioli,
  • Marco Giudice,
  • Paolo Castelnuovo,
  • Enrico Fazio,
  • Apostolos Karligkiotis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22038/ijorl.2017.17753.1603
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 6
pp. 353 – 357

Abstract

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Introduction: Retropharyngeal space schwannomas are rare entities. About 20-45% of schwannomas occur in the head and neck region; however, they represent less than 1% of all head and neck tumors. Case Report: We present the case of a 36-year-old woman complaining of dysphagia caused by a large schwannoma arising in the posterior pharyngeal wall with remarkable reduction of the oropharyngeal space. The tumor was resected through a combined transoral and cervicotomic transmandibular approach due to its dimension. No recurrence was observed after a two-year follow up. This case represents the thirteenth case reported in international literature. Conclusion: Preoperative settings for rare tumors such as retropharyngeal schwannomas should include radiological investigations and preoperative biopsy. In order to obtain a successful result in terms of radicality, a combined surgical approach may be necessary to completely control the extension of the lesion.

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