Abnormal growth rate of a benign cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma

摘要

BackgroundSchwannomas are rare benign tumors that arise from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Schwannomas are characteristically indolent, growing approximately 1–3 mm a year. We report a case of cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma (CSCS) with a rapid rate of growth while being regularly imaged for another disease process.MethodsA 57-year-old female with a history of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) presented with a left level IV neck mass discovered on a routine ultrasound. The mass was not visualized on her most recent ultrasound 11 months prior.ResultsThe patient underwent extracapsular enucleation of the schwannoma, which arose from the cervical sympathetic chain. Final pathology confirmed the diagnosis of a benign schwannoma.ConclusionsThis case serves as a reminder that not all benign CSCSs are indolent and also highlights the fact that the rapid rate of growth of these lesions is not necessarily indicative of a malignant transformation.