A cylindrical extracranial cranial base neurinoma of the hypoglossal nerve: a rare tumor with a rare localization: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Neurinomas of the hypoglossal nerve are very rare. They are mostly located intracranially or combined intra- and extracranially, resulting in the so-called dumbbell shape. The isolated extracranial localization of the neurinoma of the hypoglossal nerve adjacent to the cranial base as described in this case report is extremely rare.


METHODS
The 23-year-old patient presented with recurring headaches. She had right-sided hypoglossal nerve palsy for approximately 5 to 6 years. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extracranial tumor with contact to the cranial base originating from the hypoglossal nerve.


METHODS
The tumor was extirpated surgically and verified histologically as a schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
Pathologies of the hypoglossal nerve as such are very rare within the clinical landscape. When a tumor occurs, its shape and location must be analyzed to establish whether, or by which approach, surgical removal is feasible. Although very unusual, the mere extracranial occurrence of a hypoglossal neurinoma at the cranial base should be considered a differential diagnosis.
Heiroth
Hi-Jae
HJ
Department of Neurosurgery, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany. Hi-Jae.Heiroth@uniduesseldorf.de
Riemenschneider
Markus J
MJ
Steiger
Hans-Jakob
HJ
Hänggi
Daniel
D
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020437:Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D009418:S100 Proteins