Resection of cervical vagal schwannoma via a post-auricular approach.
Cervical vagal schwannomas are extremely rare and gross total resection is the standard treatment modality. However, because the conventional cervical approach leaves an incision scar in a visible area, other approaches need to be developed for young women who want the postoperative scar to be invisible. A 28-year-old female underwent complete resection of a 4x4 cm tumor in her right upper neck via a post-auricular approach using an inverted V-shaped incision along the post-auricular sulcus and hairline. The tumor was a schwannoma originating from the right cervical vagus nerve. Postoperatively, right vocal cord paralysis developed despite careful dissection but completely recovered within 6 months after surgery. The patient was satisfied with an invisible external scar which was hidden by her auricle and hair. A cervical vagal schwannoma can be successfully removed by making an incision in a potentially invisible area.
Roh
Jong-Lyel
JL
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. happyfam@paran.com
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020421:Vagus Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*