Cervical vagal schwannoma: Peculiarity in diagnosis and treatment

Vagal Nerve Schwannoma (VS) is a rare tumour, usually seen in patients of 30-50 years of age, affecting both sexes equally. Clinically, VS presents as a slow growing, asymptomatic tumour, often with minimal symptoms in the patient. It is necessary to distinguish VS from other neck masses and to arrive at a diagnosis only after ruling out commonly occurring neck lesions. Cytology in cases of VS is often inconclusive; hence, there is a higher degree of reliance on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to establish a preoperative diagnosis. Treatment involves complete excision of the tumour. Other less frequently employed options include intracapsular enucleation. Postoperative morbidity has been reported and includes hoarseness of voice or speech difficulties. The final diagnosis is achieved by findings on histopathological examination. Here, a case of VS occurring in a 60-year-old female is described. The presenting clinical features, diagnosis and surgical management are further discussed.