Preoperative anticipation of origin from MRI scans in cervical phrenic schwannoma

Phrenic nerve schwannoma presenting as an asymptomatic neck mass

Phrenic nerve schwannomas of the head and neck are exceedingly rare pathologies that can present as an asymptomatic neck mass. Surgery is the definitive treatment, and a conservative surgical approach is preferred if a benign pathology is suspected.

Benign Peripheral Non-cranial Nerve Sheath Tumors of the Neck

Benign peripheral non-cranial nerve sheath tumors are rare lesions, including both schwannomas and neurofibromas. These tumors arise from Schwann cells, and may originate from any peripheral, cranial, or autonomic nerve. Most of them are localized and sporadic but multifocal systemic forms can occur. Cervical sympathetic chain, brachial plexus, cervical plexus and spinal roots and nerves are the major nerve systems commonly affected. Dumbbell-shaped intra- and extradural tumors occur most commonly in the cervical spine, as well as purely extradural and paravertebral tumors. The management of these tumors has improved greatly owing to the developments in imaging techniques and surgical innovations such as endoscopically assisted approaches and robotic surgery. Microsurgical intracapsular excision of the tumor helped by the use of intraoperative fluorescent dyes and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring minimize postoperative neural deficit, since most schwannomas are encapsulated. Most tumors can be removed with a low rate of complications and recurrence. Radiotherapy should be considered for growing lesions that are not amenable to surgery. In asymptomatic patients, observation and serial scans is an option for elderly infirm patients.

Phrenic nerve schwannoma as an incidental intraoperative finding. Case report

Introduction and importance

Peripheral neuronal sheath tumors are rare lesions that can arise from the lining of the neuronal axons of any nerve in the body. Schwannomas are usually solitary and encapsulated, slow growing, predominantly benign, with a malignant transformation rate of less than 2% and very low recurrence. The phrenic nerve schwannoma is rare in the neck and usually is asymptomatic.

Case presentation

We present a case of a phrenic nerve schwannoma as an incidental intraoperative finding in the study of a patient with a cervical mass of progressive growth on the right side of the neck in contact with the anterior scalene muscle and pain intermittent. Resection of the mass was done with preservation of the endoneurium. Intraoperative stimulation after resection had a proper functionality of the phrenic nerve. In the follow-up, the patient had not any damage of the function of the phrenic nerve.

Clinical discussion

This tumor is generated by a deficiency of merlin with the consequent cell proliferation. The diagnostic imaging (CT or MRI) are the studies of choice. The differential diagnosis of these lesions has an impact on the presence or absence of oncological disease or progression of a previously treated one. The ideal management is surgical and the anatomical and/or functional preservation of the nerve depend of the tumor infiltration.

Conclusion

The phrenic nerve schwannoma is rare in the neck. The ideal management is surgical, and this pathology must be considered in patients with masses in the Station IV and supraclavicular fossa of the neck.

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Schwannomas are lesions solitary and encapsulated, slow growing, and predominantly benign.

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The phrenic nerve schwannoma is rare in the neck and usually is asymptomatic.

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These are generated by a deficiency of merlin with the consequent cell proliferation.

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CT and MRI are the studies of choice in patients with neck masses and suspicion of schwannoma.

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The anatomical and functional preservation of the nerve depends on tumor infiltration.

Ultrasound imaging of nerves in the neck: Correlation with MRI, EMG, and clinical findings

Objective

We evaluated the performance of ultrasound in the detection of neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve (SSN), long thoracic nerve (LTN), spinal accessory nerve (SAN), and phrenic nerve and compared this performance with MRI.

Methods

A retrospective review of 56 patients who had undergone ultrasound imaging of the SSN, LTN, SAN, and phrenic nerve was performed. Diagnoses made by ultrasound, MRI, EMG reports, and clinical and operative notes were recorded.

Results

Ultrasound was successful in visualizing nerves in the neck in the overwhelming majority of cases. Sonographic findings were typically in agreement with MRI and clinical findings.

Conclusion

Ultrasound is effective in the visualization and diagnostic evaluation of the SSN, LTN, SAN, and phrenic nerve.

Classification of evidence

This study provides Class IV evidence that ultrasound can effectively visualize and diagnose neuropathy of the SSN, LTN, SAN, and phrenic nerve in the neck.

Neurofibromas of the Phrenic Nerve: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Phrenic neurofibromas are a rare pathologic entity, with 9 cases described in the English literature. They may occur in conjunction with or independently of neurofibromatosis type 1. Phrenic neurofibromas pose distinct therapeutic challenges compared with the more common phrenic schwannoma. We describe here a 12-year-old boy with neurofibroma of the left phrenic nerve presenting as dextroposition of the heart after paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm allowed herniation of abdominal contents into the left hemithorax and displaced the heart.

METHOD

Surgical resection of the tumor followed by diaphragmatic plication was performed to assess its degree of malignancy, reduce abdominal herniation, and improve lung capacity.

RESULTS

The operation markedly improved his hemidiaphragmatic elevation.

CONCLUSIONS

The spectrum of management options ranges from conservative surveillance to open thoracic surgery. Functional preservation of the phrenic nerve is technically challenging, and although phrenic neurofibromas often present with absent function that cannot be recovered, surgical intervention can be fruitful in restoring lung capacity through diaphragmatic reconstruction.

Intractable hiccups: a rare presentation of phrenic nerve schwannoma

INTRODUCTION

Schwannoma rarely involves the phrenic nerve. We report a unique case of schwannoma as a cause of chronic hiccups due to the involvement of phrenic nerve.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 72-year-old male presented with 20-year history of hiccups. He underwent multiple esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures, all of which were negative. A computed tomography (CT-scan) of soft tissue of the neck was remarkable for left retrosternal mass with central calcification, located adjacent to the thyroid gland. He underwent surgery and this mass was found to be originating from the left phrenic nerve. Resection of the portion of phrenic nerve with mass was performed. Grossly, the specimen was a pale-tan piece of soft tissue, 4.8 cm in maximum dimension with an attached portion of nerve. Microscopically, it showed a well-circumscribed spindle cell lesion with hypercellular and hypocellular areas and multiple Verocay bodies. There was no atypia or significant mitotic activity. On immunohistochemical staining, the spindle cells were positive for S-100, supporting the diagnosis of schwannoma.

CONCLUSION

Postoperatively, the patient showed marked improvement in his symptoms and the hiccups were almost completely resolved. Although they are very rare, schwannomas of the phrenic nerve should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic hiccups.

Successful excision of a rare cervical neurofibroma arising from the phrenic nerve: a case report

INTRODUCTION

The patient had an enlarging left-side neck mass without neurological symptoms.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a well-demarcated mass close to the left root of C4.

RESULTS

During the surgery, we confirmed a tumour arising from the cervical phrenic nerve. Although neurogenic tumours of the phrenic nerve are associated with a high risk of causing hemidiaphragm palsy after the total excision, we could carry out a total excision without deficit.

CONCLUSION

The pathological examination revealed a neurofibroma.

Benign schwannoma of the left cervical phrenic nerve

A patient presented with a benign schwannoma of the cervical phrenic nerve on the left side of the neck. Analysis of the aspirate suggested the diagnosis and it was confirmed on imaging. The patient had the lesion excised with preservation of the phrenic nerve.