Laryngeal schwannomas

Abstract

As laryngeal schwannomas are a threat to breathing, they must be removed. CT and MR provide an accurate pre-operative work-up of these lesions. The clear delineation of the tumoral attachment to the larynx proved to be very useful in the difficult management of our second patient. Our two laryngeal schwannomas exhibited a similar appearance which differed from those of the few other laryngeal nerve sheath tumors reported in the literature The low attenuating outer part correlated with Antoni B areas. The denser enhancing inner part correlated with Antoni A areas containing large vessels. This unusual tumoral appearance, which has been observed in some other peripheral schwannomas, must bring this diagnostic possibility to mind. However, this clearly contrasting distribution of the two components of schwannomas is not the most commonly observed in other locations. More reports are needed to establish whether this special appearance is characteristic of laryngeal location.

Schwanoma de laringe: relato de caso

“…Devido a isso, infere-se que a origem nervosa mais comum seja no ramo interno do nervo laríngeo superior após sua penetração na membrana tireohióidea 3 . A origem no nervo laríngeo recorrente também é descrita, podendo causar paralisia da prega vocal 11,12 . Entretanto, a identificação exata da origem nervosa é difícil, mesmo no intraoperatório.…”

Laryngeal Schwannoma Excision by Lateral Pharyngotomy

“…2 Independent of the approach, restoration of the vocal cord mobility is possible even if it was immobile prior to surgery. 8 As the tumor size is more than 5 cm and occupying the entire supraglottis we have planned for an external approach and by lateral pharyngotomy approach we could deliver the mass without disturbing the laryngeal framework and the wound healed well without pharyngo-cutaneous fistula.…”

“…5 On MRI scanning, the lesion is expected isointense to slightly hyperintense in T1-weighted images with strong, inhomogeneous enhancement of gadolinium, in T2 the lesion is hyperintense. 8 The differential diagnoses of neurogenic tumors of the larynx include chondroma and adenoma. 9 Also, laryngeal cysts and internal laryngocele should be taken into consideration.…”

An Unusual Cause of Sleep Apnea: Laryngeal Schwannoma

“…If the OSA is not treated, cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, arryhtmias, systemic and pulmonary hypertensions, and clinical depression risk increase 7 . Therefore the cause of the apnea should be eliminated.…”

“…Small schwannomas are seen as homogeneously enhancing masses but tumors bigger than 3 cm in size are recognized as masses with slightly heterogeneous contrast enhancement 7 .…”