Laryngeal schwannomas

Laryngeal schwannoma masquerading as malignancy

Laryngeal schwannoma is a rare type of neurogenous tumour with a non-specific presentation. We present a case of a middle-aged man with issues of hoarseness, globus sensation and intermittent episodes of throat pain. The Hopkins examination showed right vocal fold irregularity with fullness in the right ventricle. The contrast-enhanced CT neck revealed an ill-defined lesion with contrast uptake extending into the paraglottic region with no neck node involvement. Considering the clinical presentation of hoarseness, throat pain and globus with imaging revealing contrast enhancement of lesion, direct laryngoscopy and biopsy were planned to rule out malignancy. Intraoperatively, a well-defined submucosal capsulated swelling became apparent after incision and dissection of the mucosa over the right vocal fold. A complete excision of the swelling was done with microlaryngeal instruments without tracheostomy. The histopathological report was suggestive of schwannoma. The literature review discusses clinical presentation, location, imaging features and management strategy.

Pediatric laryngeal schwannoma: a case report

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. They mostly occur in the head and neck region but are rare in the larynx, and present with various symptoms. Surgical removal is the recommended treatment. This study presents a 12-year-old female with sudden onset hemoptysis, snoring, difficulty breathing, dysphagia, and voice changes. On examination, she was conscious and had muffled voice while speaking, without signs of respiratory distress. Endoscopic laryngoscopy revealed a large laryngeal mass obstructing the vocal cords. Endoscopic excision and biopsy confirmed the presence of the laryngeal schwannoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with normal vocal cord function and no recurrence at follow-up.

Laryngeal schwannoma with extralaryngeal extension mimicking a thyroid tumour

Objective:

A schwannoma is a common benign tumour that can arise anywhere in the body. When it occurs in an unusual location such as the larynx, its differentiation from other tumours can be challenging. Herein, we report a case of a laryngeal schwannoma with extralaryngeal extension that mimicked a thyroid tumour, focusing on its characteristic features on MRI.

Methods:

A 19-year-old male presented with a mass in the left side of the neck and hoarseness for 2 years. Endoscopy showed a submucosal mass in the laryngeal region. MRI found a well-defined solid mass in the thyroid gland, extending to the larynx through the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage. T₂ weighted MRI showed slightly low signal intensity at the central part of the tumour and high signal intensity at the peripheral part of the tumour. Pre-operative imaging suggested that the tumour originated in the thyroid gland. Left thyroidectomy with tumour excision was performed; the tumour was diagnosed as a laryngeal schwannoma with extralaryngeal extension, compressing the thyroid gland. In retrospect, features such as the dumbbell-shape and known as ‘target sign’ on T₂ weighted MRI were typical features of schwannoma. Additionally, the tumour’s extension pattern was similar to previous reports of laryngeal schwannomas with extralaryngeal extension.

Conclusion:

A large laryngeal schwannoma may extend outside the larynx with significant compression of the thyroid gland. Understanding the pattern of extension and familiarity with the features on MRI can improve the preoperative diagnosis accuracy.

Transoral-transpharyngeal CO2 laser en bloc excision of voluminous left recurrent laryngeal nerve schwannoma: Case report and review of the literature

Recurrent nerve laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign tumor that, in expert hands, can be treated by transoral CO2 laser surgery.

Nonepithelial Tumors of the Larynx: Single-Institution 13-Year Review with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Nonepithelial tumors of the larynx are rare and represent a minority of all laryngeal neoplasms. Imaging has an important role in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and surveillance of these entities. However, unfamiliarity with these neoplasms can cause diagnostic difficulties for radiologists, especially because many of the imaging findings are nonspecific. By using a systematic approach based on clinical history, patient age and gender, lesion location, endoscopic results, and specific imaging findings, the differential diagnosis can often be narrowed. These tumors typically affect the submucosal layer, so if a tumor has an intact mucosa at endoscopy, a nonepithelial neoplasm is the most likely diagnosis. Nonepithelial tumors of the larynx can arise from the laryngeal cartilage or muscle or from the surrounding lymphoid tissue or blood vessels. Consequently, imaging findings typically correspond to the specific cell type from which it originated. Recognizing specific features (eg, metaplastic bone formation, macroscopic fat, or enhancement pattern) can often help narrow the differential diagnosis. In addition, identification of noncircumscribed borders of the lesion and invasion of the adjacent structures is key to diagnosis of a malignant process rather than a benign neoplasm. Understanding the pathologic correlation is fundamental to understanding the radiologic manifestations and is ultimately crucial for differentiation of nonepithelial laryngeal neoplasms. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2020.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Laryngeal Schwannoma: A Systematic Review

Objective

This review summarizes the clinical features, diagnostic workup, and surgical treatment of laryngeal schwannoma with the aim of providing guidance for the management of this rare disease. The collated data allowed the statistical testing of several hypotheses, including the efficacy of endoscopic vs open surgical intervention and the usefulness of preoperative biopsy.

Data Sources

PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and SCOPUS.

Review Methods

Basic epidemiological and clinical presentation data were collated together with details of diagnostic image modality, lesion attributes, and the use of preoperative biopsy. Surgical approach to intervention and outcome was also collated and simple statistical analyses applied.

Results

The 60 original articles selected provided a combined cohort of 74 patients for review. The combined data revealed that schwannoma with pedunculated morphology were always safely removed by endoscopic resection regardless of size and should be treated as a separate entity. Of the nonpedunculated schwannoma, larger tumors were more likely to undergo an open approach, which in turn was associated with higher rates of tracheotomy and postoperative vocal fold paralysis. The small cohort did not reveal a significant association between surgery type and persistent disease. Interestingly, the data revealed a significant association between the use of incisional biopsy and persistent disease. Cases exhibiting extralaryngeal extension of the lesion were shown to exclusively belong to patients with neurofibromatosis/schwannomatosis syndromes.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings suggest that incisional biopsy should be avoided, and given the benign nature of the pathology, the least invasive radical approach should be employed.

Laryngeal schwannoma: a systematic review

A large proportion of schwannomas are found in the head and neck region. Schwannoma located within the larynx however is uncommon. The characteristic features, clinical presentations, treatment and the outcomes of patients with laryngeal schwannoma are therefore not clearly understood. The aim of this comprehensive review is to compile, analyze and present the details to develop a consensus and augment the available literature on laryngeal schwannoma. A comprehensive literature search on laryngeal schwannoma was performed on PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Science Citation Index using MeSH words. A total of 55 patients were reviewed in this study. 40.7 % of the tumours arose from the aryepiglottic fold or arytenoids. Other areas where tumours were found included the false cord, true vocal cord, epiglottis, subglottis, piriform sinus and the post cricoid area. 64.9 % patients presented with dysphonia. Others typically present with multiple symptoms related to the mass effect and location of the tumour. All patients were managed surgically with different techniques and approaches. Majority of patients were alive with no residual disease. There were five recurrences and no mortality to date. Schwannoma within the larynx can present with a variety of symptoms. Surgical excision remained as the treatment of choice with good overall prognosis.

Laryngeal schwannoma as an acute airway presentation

A schwannoma is a neurogenic tumour arising from nerve sheaths. Between 25% and 45% of schwannomas occur in the head and neck region. Schwannomas of the larynx are extremely rare. They usually occur in women during the fourth and fifth decades of life. We present a case of a laryngeal schwannoma in a 76-year-old patient with acute stridor, hoarseness and dysphagia. Laryngeal conservation surgery was performed without the need for a tracheostomy. One year later, the patient remains symptom-free with no evidence of recurrence. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management are discussed and the literature is reviewed.

Laryngeal schwannoma: a case report with emphasis on sonographic findings

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering peripheral, cranial and autonomic nerves. Twenty-five to forty-five percent of all schwannomas occur in the head and neck region, but location of such tumors in the larynx is rarely observed. The present report is aimed at describing a clinical case of laryngeal schwannoma, with emphasis on sonographic findings.

Neurofibromatosis of the larynx causing stridor and sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

Neurofibromatosis type 1 can rarely present in the larynx. Patients typically do not present with complete obstructive symptoms, but partial obstruction and stridor. We review our health centers' case series of two patients, the first of whom presented with persistent sleep apnea post tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and the second who presented with noisy breathing. Additionally, we will review the literature on the management and treatment options for children with this rare clinical entity.

METHODS

Retrospective case review.

CASE REPORT & RESULTS

A two-year old male underwent a sleep endoscopy following persistent evidence of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography after initial tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Family elicited concerns about noisy breathing at night and an accompanying video documented stridor while sleeping during the monitored polysomnography. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy in the operating room revealed what appeared to be a cystic mass along the right aryepiglottic fold causing deviation of the laryngeal introitus towards the contralateral side. Subsequent direct laryngoscopy and excisional biopsy revealed pathology results consistent with a plexiform neurofibroma. A six-month-old patient with stertor and stridor was found to have a laryngeal mass, subglottic stensosis, and progressive airway obstruction due to plexiform neurofirboma in the supraglottis, subglottis, and trachea. We present a series of two patients incidentally diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 by way of a laryngeal neurofibroma and review the literature on management options. Both patients were found to have accompanying café au lait spots. Both patients required tracheostomy for airway management, and one was successfully decannulated.

CONCLUSION

Laryngeal neurofibroma is a rare anomaly that can manifest with airway obstruction. Both patients presented here subsequently were noted to have café au lait spots on physical examination. The Otolaryngologist should be reminded of this anomaly when evaluating a child with evidence of a submucosal laryngeal mass. We present our series including that of a patient whose diagnosis was prompted by persistent sleep apnea following adenotonsillectomy tonsillectomy and a patient with airway obstruction and subglottic stenosis due to a neurofibroma. The treatment of choice is complete excision of the neurofibroma while maintaining functionality of the larynx. This can lead to successful decannulation.

Laryngeal schwannoma excised under a microlaryngoscope without tracheotomy: A case report

Schwannomas are benign encapsulated tumors arising from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Between 25 and 45% of schwannomas occur in the head and neck region. Schwannomas of the larynx are extremely rare with an incidence of 0.1–1.5% in all benign laryngeal tumors. Laryngeal schwannomas usually occur in females aged between their 4th and 5th decades. The most successful curative method is surgical resection. When selecting the surgical method, the size and location of the tumor, as well as the requests of the patient, should be considered. The present case report describes a 29-year-old female patient with symptoms of hoarseness and dyspnea on exertion. Through endoscopic biopsy, histopathology revealed a schwannoma. Considering the symptoms, age and preferences of the patient, the method of trans-oral microlaryngoscopic excision without tracheotomy was used to excise the tumor located in the aryepiglottic fold. Results from a short-term follow-up showed the postoperative result to be satisfactory.

Hidden diagnosis in the subglottic larynx: schwannoma mimicking as bronchial asthma

Schwannomas are rare neurogenic tumors derived from the schwann cells. Their laryngeal location is uncommon and the diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 17-year-old female who presented with symptoms of intermittent breathlessness mimicking acute attacks of bronchial asthma and resulted in delayed diagnosis, which lead to upper airway obstruction and an emergency tracheostomy. Computed tomography (CT) of neck revealed a soft-tissue mass within the subglottic region. Surgical excision of the growth was done by laryngofissure technique. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed it to be a schawanoma. The subglottic occurrence of schwannoma is very rare. Case history and detailed clinical examination are important and will guide for relevant investigations and help to reach at a definitive diagnosis.

Schwannoma mimicking laryngocele

A schwannoma of the larynx is a rare benign tumor that usually presents as a submucosal mass in the pyriform sinus and the aryepiglottic space, and this type of schwannoma constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for otolaryngologists. We present here two cases of supraglottic schwannomas that were misdiagnosed as laryngoceles. Both were excised through a lateral thyrotomy approach without a tracheostomy, and the laryngeal function was successfully maintained. We discuss the clinical and imaging findings and the management of this rare neoplasm with focusing on the differential diagnosis of laryngeal schwannoma and laryngocele. We also review the relevant medical literature.

Laryngeal plexiform schwannoma as first symptom in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 2

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas. The initial symptoms of NF2 are usually hearing loss and tinnitus caused by vestibular schwannomas. Although other intracranial, spinal, or skin tumors also occur in NF2, laryngeal lesions are very rare. We report a rare case of NF2 with laryngeal plexiform schwannoma as first symptom. A 38-year-old man presented with a smooth-surfaced submucosal supraglottic mass. Two round masses in the left chest wall and left supraclavicular fossa were noted incidentally during investigation of the laryngeal mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for these masses were identical to those of the laryngeal mass. No typical symptoms related to NF2 were identified. Histologically, the laryngeal tumor represented plexiform schwannoma. We thus considered that the two round masses in the left chest wall and left supraclavicular fossa might also represent plexiform schwannomas. NF2 was suspected, as a high incidence of multiple plexiform schwannomas has been suggested for patients with NF2. MRI of brain lesions demonstrated bilateral vestibular schwannomas and multiple meningiomas. Finally, NF2 with laryngeal plexiform schwannoma was diagnosed. Recognizing that multiple plexiform schwannomas could be associated with NF2 is important.

Schwannoma of the larynx

Objectives

Neurogenic tumors of the larynx are extremely rare. The goal of this report is to advert to this rare disease, to review and discuss diagnostics, differential diagnoses and treatment options. Study Design: Retrospective case report and review of the literature. Methods: Case report of a schwannoma of the supraglottic larynx and review of the English- and German-language literature regarding neurogenic tumors of the larynx. Results: Neurogenic laryngeal tumors typically involve the supraglottic larynx, rarely the glottis. They can course globus sensation, dysphagia, dysphonia and upper airway obstruction. Imaging does not yield a definite diagnosis. The only curative treatment option is complete surgical resection. Conclusions: A definite diagnosis can only be made histologically. Endoscopic (laser-) resection for smaller lesions and external approaches for larger lesions are recommended treatment options.

Neurinoma originating from the recurrent nerve: report of a case

Schwannoma is an uncommon, peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the neck that can occur either as an isolated lesion or multiple lesions. Multiple schwannomas, as seen in neurofibromatosis, occur less frequently. The rare occurrence and poorly defined symptoms of these tumors often make their preoperative diagnosis difficult. This report describes an unusual case of recurrent nerve Schwannoma which was successfully identified by color Doppler sonography.

Laryngeal schwannoma in an 8-year-old boy with inspiratory dyspnea

BACKGROUND

Schwannomas of the larynx are rare lesions in the pediatric age group.

METHODS

In this article, we report on the neuroimaging features of a schwannoma arising from the left aryepiglottic fold in an 8-year-old boy with a 6-month history of inspiratory dyspnea.

RESULTS

Neuroimaging showed a well-defined, avoid mass originating from the left aryepiglottic fold. The lesion was removed endoscopically.

CONCLUSION

Complete removal of laryngeal schwannomas is curative, and adjuvant treatment is not required.

Imaging of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves

The origination and course of the glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory cranial nerves explains their function and localizes pathology. Abnormalities of these lower cranial nerves may be intrinsic or extrinsic and is due to a multiplicity of disease processes. The clinical presentation of the involved cranial nerve helps to guide imaging evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging without and with contrast is the mainstay of imaging of cranial nerves IX, X and XI pathology, but computed tomography provides substantial information as well.