title: Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical schwannoma is a benign peripheral nerve tumor specifically developing from Schwann cells. Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma is rare. Following a case report, the authors describe its specific radiological and histological characteristics. Treatment is surgical.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 56-year-old woman consulted for an isolated left lateral cervical mass of several years' standing, but with recently associated pharyngeal discomfort. Cervical CT revealed a vascularized retrostyloid mass with venous-time enhancement, inducing anterior displacement of the jugulo-carotid axis. The tumor could not be identified on fine-needle aspiration cytology, and surgical resection was performed by cervicotomy. Surgical exploration found a tumor developing from the cervical sympathetic nerve, posterior to the jugular vein and carotid sheath. Histopathologic examination diagnosed schwannoma. Postoperative outcome featured Horner's syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma is a rare benign tumor, to be suspected in the presence of an isolated lateral cervical mass. Preoperative CT is mandatory to guide diagnosis; treatment is surgical, to confirm histologic diagnosis. Postoperative Horner's syndrome often confirms cervical sympathetic chain involvement.
authors: Service d'ORL et chirurgie cervicofaciale, centre Antoine-Lacassagne et institut universitaire de la Face et du Cou de Nice, 33 avenue de Valombrose, Nice cedex, France.
authors: E-E-M
authors: EE
authors: Nao
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Dassonville
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bozec
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sudaka
authors: P-Y
authors: PY
authors: Marcy
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Vincent
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Pierre
authors: J-C
authors: JC
authors: Riss
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Fakhry
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Santini
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Poissonnet
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System