Abstract:

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from the schwann cells surrounding periferic, cranial, and autonomic nerves. Schwannomas located in the head and neck region generally originate from the sensorial parts of the cranial nerves. Since the hypoglossal nerve is a pure motor nerve, schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve is more uncommon. Hypoglossal schwannomas often arise from the intracranial segment of the nerve. Extracranial ones are more rare. Here, we present a 55-year-old patient who applied with a non-painful mass on the left side of the neck. The mass was 4 x 5 cm in diameter and had gradually grown in the last four years. Imaging modalities and fine-needle aspiration biopsy did not yield definitive diagnosis; thus, the diagnosis of schwannoma was established through excisional biopsy. The mass was dissected from the hypoglossal nerve and totally excised through transcervical approach. In the one-year follow-up, no recurrence was noted. The patient is still in the follow-up.

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