Giant funicular intrapharyngeal schwannoma.
BACKGROUND
Schwannoma is a rare solitary tumor of Schwann cell origin. The Schwann cell surrounds peripheral nerve tissue and is believed to originate from neural crest. Surgery presents main treatment for patients with schwannoma.


METHODS
This is a report of a rare case of giant and bizarre-shaped intrapharyngeal schwannoma. A 38-year-old woman with a very large schwannoma (25 cm x 6 cm x 4 cm), which gradually increased in size and with a progressive dysphagia, is presented.


RESULTS
Schwannoma was detected by clinical and endoscopic examination and also with CT scan. Complete resection was achieved by external approach surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantage of the lateral pharyngotomy with tracheotomy for complete excision of a mass is demonstrated. It provides an excellent operative exposure and recovery without impairment of breathing and deglutition.
Jovanovic
Milan B
MB
Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Maxillofacial and Cervical Pathology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zemun, Zemun, Serbia. majov@eunet.yu
Milutinovic
Zoran S
ZS
Strbac
Mile S
MS
Perovic
Jelena V
JV
Milenkovic
Sanja A
SA
D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014140:Tracheotomy