title: Cystic schwannoma of the cervical plexus masquerading as a type II second branchial cleft cyst.
abstract: This case illustrates the rare occurrence of a cystic schwannoma of the neck, presenting clinically and ultrasonographically as a type II second branchial cleft cyst. Histology demonstrated that it was in fact a rare cystic schwannoma, most likely arising from the cervical plexus. This is the first documented case of a cystic schwannoma of the neck being mistaken for a type II second branchial cleft cyst based on clinical and ultrasound findings alone. It suggests that more sophisticated radiological investigations, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may enable accurate diagnosis of a cystic schwannoma of the neck pre-operatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, UK. malcolm_buchanan123@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Malcolm A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Stuart M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hellquist
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Innes
mesh_terms: D001935:Branchioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002572:Cervical Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult