As well known, schwannoma is thought a tumor derived from the Schwann cell of the neurilemmal sheath. It is a relatively rare disease especially in the oral region. Mostly it emerges from the tongue, the buccal mucous membrane and the palate. Recently authors experienced a case which developed from the pterygopalatine fossa. This case is reported below, together with its clinical and documentary discussion.
The patient is a female aged 14. She had a chief complaint of swelling of left buccal region. The familial and past history was unremarkable. In July 1985 her mother had noticed the swelling of left buccal region, the patient was referred to a certain orthopedic hospital firstly. And then she was introduced to our department on July 25, 1985. Clinical observation revealed bony swelling of indistinct boundary sized about 50 ×30mm from the left zygomatical arch to the front of auricula. Neither tenderness pain nor trisms was observed. Treatment and clinical course are followed;biopsy was carried out under local anesthesia August 7, 1985. The disease was diagnosed as schwannoma. An enucleation was performed under general anesthesia August 21, 1985. The results of the surgery is excellent. And careful attention will be paid to the prognosis of this patient.