title: Vagal nerve schwannoma--a new diagnostic sign.
abstract: A case of vagal nerve schwannoma with a new physical sign is presented. The tumour was largely cystic and aspiration, performed twice, immediately elicited a cough reflex from the patient. Treatment was by total excision and the patient made a good recovery. Complete cystic degeneration of a vagal nerve schwannoma is uncommon. A search of the literature has failed to find any previous reports of fine needle aspiration causing a cough reflex in these tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sellars
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*