Neurofibrosarcoma of the vagus nerve; report of a case

Neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum originated from the vagus nerve

Thirty-nine patients with neurogenic tumors observed between 1974 to 1992 were reviewed. There were 32 patients with neurilemoma, one with neurofibroma, five with ganglioneuroma, and one with malignant neurilemoma. Two cases of neurilemoma originated from the vagus nerve, which is very rare. Surgical resection is recommended, not only to confirm the nature of the lesion, but also to prevent further growth and compression on adjacent structures. For benign encapsulated neurogenic tumors, resection is curative.

An intrathoracic vagus nerve schwannoma invading the trachea

A patient with a schwannoma of the intrathoracic vagus nerve is presented. The tumor invaded the trachea and caused dyspnea. It was successfully excised by a segmental resection of the trachea with end-to-end anastomosis. This instance of an intrathoracic vagus tumor invading the trachea is, as far as we know, the first reported in the world.

Intrathoracic tumors of the vagus nerve

Two patients had resection of a middle mediastinal neurilemmoma of the vagus nerve. Twenty-seven other neurogenic tumors of the intrathoracic vagus are reviewed. These tumors are generally asymptomatic except for hoarseness in an occasional patient.

Benign solitary schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve. A case report with a review of the literature

A case of benign solitary schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve occurring in a 12-year-old girl is reported. Clinical and pathological problems connected with the neoplasm are discussed. From a review of the literature, the lesion seems to be less rare than is commonly believed. Treatment is also discussed, including the possibility of a surgical procedure which allows the restoration of function in the vagus nerve.