• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.477-480
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• 2010

Purpose: Ganglioneuromas are well-differentiated tumors derived from neuroectodermal neural crest cells. Although these tumors can occur anywhere along the sympathetic chain from the base of the skull to the pelvic cavity, they usually develop in the posterior mediastinum and retroperitoneum these tumors are rarely found in the cervical region. Method: We report the case of a 16-year-old male patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 who was admitted because of a palpable mass centrally located on the left side of the neck. A preoperative contrast-enhanced neck computed tomography image showed a low-density homogeneous mass on the parapharyngeal space along with marked displacement of the trachea and carotid vessels. Round and soft masses were also detected on both axillae. Results: The patient subsequently underwent complete excision of the neck mass via the transcervical approach. The mass was smooth and well encapsulated between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trachea. Further, the mass appeared to arise from the cervical sympathetic chain, which was preserved during surgery. Both the axillary masses were also excised. The histopathological findings were ganglioneuroma for the neck mass and neurofibroma for both the axillary masses. Conclusion: Cervical ganglioneuromas are rare tumors that present as enlarging parapharyngeal cervical masses in the oropharynx or neck. To our knowledge, a case of cervical ganglioneuroma associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 has never been reported. In patients with neurofibromatosis, multiple tumors may develop, and therefore periodic clinical and radiological follow-up is recommended. Further, repeated imaging analysis should be performed if the presence of another tumor is suspected.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.388-391
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• 2019

Schwannoma is a slow-growing, well-demarcated, benign soft tissue tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath. It commonly develops in the head and neck region, usually in the parapharyngeal space. In this case, a 42-year-old woman visited the outpatient department to manage a painless mass on her left cheek. She had no history of concern and no neurological symptoms were observed. In the enhanced computed tomography scan, a 2.8×2.8×1.8 cm, heterogeneously enhanced tumor was detected in the left masseter muscle. A tumor resection under general anesthesia was planned. For the resection, a facelift incision was chosen; branches of the facial nerve were identified and retrogradely dissected. A well-marginated, yellowish, solid mass was found in the left masseter muscle. The mass was excised and given a histopathological diagnosis of schwannoma. A definite diagnosis of schwannoma, originating in the masseter muscle, is difficult to arrive at with radiographic findings alone; it is often misdiagnosed as intramuscular hemangioma. Histopathological examinations, including fine-needle aspiration or histological biopsy after surgery, are necessary. Using a facelift incision with retrograde facial nerve dissection, tumor resection in an intramasseteric lesion can be performed efficiently, without nerve damage, or leaving conspicuous scars on the face.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.223-226
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• 2002

The segmental mandibulectomy should be performed, if mandiblie invasion is suspected clinically and radiologically. And if tumor is located to mandible very closely or when microinvasion to mandible is suspected, marginal mandibulectomy is recommended. But in segmental mandibulectomy, reconstruction is difficult and cosmetic problem remains. In this case, we performed modified segmental resection of mandible, preserving the inferior margin of mandible, and maintains the continuity of the bone, in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parapharynx, invading mandible. We reviewed the diagnosis, pathology, and treatment, and report the case with reviews of literature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2017

Schwannoma, also known as a neurilemmomas or neurinomas, is benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising from the Schwann cells. About 25~45 % of all schwannomas are found in the head and neck region, and the majority are found in the parapharyngeal space. Schwannoma of the larynx is very rare with an incidence of 0.1~1.5% in all benign laryngeal tumors. Recently, we experienced a case of a pedunculated schwannoma arising from the left aryepiglottic fold in a 80-year-old patient. The tumor was completely excised under direct laryngoscopy with the use of a $CO_2$ laser and subsequently confirmed as schwannoma. So, we report this case with a review of the literatures.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Osteochondroma is a common benign tumor of the axial skeleton, especially in the distal metaphysis of the femur and the proximal metaphysis of the tibia, that can occur on the facial skeleton (albeit rarely). Osteochondroma is differentiated from chondroma, osteochondromatosis and osteoma. Osteochondroma shows an irregular radiopaque lesion and chondromatic area surrounded by the osteoma. When it develops in the long bone, it has a marked tendency to occur at 10 to 20 years of age and ceases with the end of pubertal growth. However, when it develops in the mandibular condyle, it is prevalent in the third decade and continuous to develop. Tumors that develop in the long bone have a predilection for men, but tumors in the mandible have a predilection for women. In osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle, clinical features presented include occlusal changes, facial asymmetry, headaches, pain and joint noise on the temporomandibular joint, mouth opening limitations, and jaw deviation at the involved site. The first choice of treatment for the massive osteochondroma is surgical removal. A 70-year-old female patient with an osteochondroma on her right mandibular condyle visited our clinic. We surgically removed the mass with favorable results. It is presented here along with a review of literature on osteochondroma.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-27
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• 2009

Backgrounds and Objectives : Most patients with neck schwannomas are asymptomatic. Surgical management of neck schwannomas could cause various complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity of surgical management in all of the neck schwannoma patients. Material and Methods : Thirty-four patients diagnosed and undergone surgical management as neck schwannomas and 30 patients diagnosed and observed closely by OPD base from 1996 to 2005 were included. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : In surgical management group, mean age was 39.3 years and mean size of tumors was 4.4cm. Twenty-five patients had their tumors at parapharyngeal space, 2 at anterior neck and 7 at lateral neck. Nerves of origin were vagus nerve in 12 patients, cervical sympathetic chain in 11. Presenting symptoms were neck mass in 22 patients and no symptom in 9. On the other hand, in close observation group, mean age was 47.1 years and mean size of tumor was 3.7cm. Seventeen patients had their tumors at parapharyngeal space, 5 at anterior neck and 8 at lateral neck. Presenting symptoms were neck mass in 13 patients and no symptom in 13. There were no patients with neurologic complications. Mean follow-up duration was 38.2 months and there were only 2 patients whose size of tumors was increased and no patients who had newly emerged symptoms. Conclusion : Neck schwannomas grows slowly, has little chance of malignant transformation, but can complicate serious problems after surgical management. Therefore close observation could be considered in many asymptomatic patients.