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Schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain

1988; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 102; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0022215100106930

1748-5460

David Myssiorek, C. E. S. Silver, Marie E. Valdes,

Soft tissue tumors and treatment

Two cases of schwannomas of the cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) are described. Eleven clearly documented cases have been described in the previous literature. These tumours are usually solitary, asymptomatic cervical masses that occur within the upper carotid sheath or parapharyngeal space. The lesions tend to be hypervascular, but not to the same extent as chemodectomas. Angiography may be employed for differential diagnosis. Schwannomas of the CSC are usually readily excised by a cervical approach. Horner's syndrome is a frequent post-operative sequel, despite anatomical preservation of the sympathetic chain. This neurological impairment is usually asymptomatic. Recurrences and malignant degeneration rarely occur.