Abstract
Schwannomas are rarely observed in the extracranial head and neck region. It is sometimes difficult to make a preoperative diagnosis of schwannoma, although CT and MRI imaging are useful in the differential diagnosis of neck masses. This report describes 3 cases of schwannoma in the extracranial head and neck region with a review of the literature. The tumors originated from the accessory nerve, vagus nerve and hypoglossal nerve. There are a variety of surgical treatment options, including complete tumor excision and intracapsular enucleation. The possible nerve damage to patients can be determined, if the neurological origins of schwannomas are identified. Therefore, physicians that evaluate neck masses need to be aware of the diagnostic workup and surgical treatment. Surgical resection of schwannomas arising in the head and neck region may cause fatal nerve damage. Treatments that assure the preservation of the neurological functions are therefore needed.
