Schwannoma of the descending loop of the hypoglossal nerve: Case report.
BACKGROUND
Schwannomas of the descending loop of the hypoglossal nerve are very rare. They are slow-growing tumors that may masquerade a carotid body tumor.


METHODS
A 60-year-old female was referred for a latero-cervical mass appearing as a chemodectoma at CT-scan. At operation, a 2cm mass arising from the descending loop of the hypoglossal nerve was resected en bloc with the loop itself and a functional lymphadenectomy was associated. Post-operative course was uneventful and the patient is free from disease recurrence at one year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
En bloc resection remains the real curative treatment of Schwannomas, ensuring unlimited freedom from disease, although causing functional impairment which may be significant. Nonetheless recurrence should be prevented as, beside requiring reintervention, it may harbor a malignant evolution towards sarcoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Schwannomas of the descending lop of the hypoglossal nerve may masquerade a chemodectoma of the carotid bifurcation and can be curatively resected without any functional impairment.
The Department of Surgical Sciences, The University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Electronic address: giulio.illuminati@uniroma1.it.
Giulio
G
Illuminati
The Department of Surgical Sciences, The University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Giulia
G
Pizzardi
The Department of Surgical Sciences, The University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Rocco
R
Pasqua
The Department of Surgical Sciences, The University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Piergaspare
P
Palumbo
The Department of Surgical Sciences, The University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Vietri
Case report; Descending loop; Hypoglossal nerve; Schwannoma