title: Tongue base schwannoma: report, review, and unique surgical approach.
abstract: Base of tongue schwannomas are exceedingly rare and therefore often are not immediately included in the differential diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal tumors. After a thorough review of the English literature, we found only 6 previously reported cases of tongue base schwannomas. We are contributing a report of a 37-year-old woman with progressive dysphagia, dysarthria, and large tongue base schwannoma. Diagnosis was confirmed by imaging studies and biopsy followed by surgical excision designed to preserve nerve function. A number of surgical approaches have been described for tongue base schwannomas. Each has its own degree of postoperative morbidity. The use of a unilateral transcervical incision with blunt dissection was simple and quickly accomplished with protection of nearby nerves. Histologic identification of Antoni A and B areas along with strong and diffuse staining with S-100 stain pathologically completed the diagnosis of schwannoma.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawhney
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carron
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mathog
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*