Large Cervical Vagus Nerve Tumor in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Treated with Gross Total Resection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

David P Bray; Andrew K Chan; Cynthia T Chin; Line Jacques

doi:10.1055/s-0036-1594010

Large Cervical Vagus Nerve Tumor in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Treated with Gross Total Resection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj. 2016 Nov 16;11(1):e48-e54. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1594010. eCollection 2016.

Authors

David P Bray¹, Andrew K Chan², Cynthia T Chin³, Line Jacques²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States.
² Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States.
³ Department of Neuroradiology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States.

Abstract

Neurofibromas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors that occur commonly in individuals with neurocutaneous disorders such as neurofibromatosis type 1. Vagal nerve neurofibromas, however, are a relatively rare occurrence. We present the case of a 22-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 with a neurofibroma of the left cervical vagal nerve. The mass was resected through an anterior approach without major event. In the postoperative course, the patient developed left vocal cord paralysis treated with medialization with injectable gel. We then present a comprehensive review of the literature for surgical resection of vagal nerve neurofibromas.

Keywords: cervical vagus nerve; diffusion tensor imaging; neck mass; neurofibroma; neurofibromatosis type 1; vagus nerve tumor.

Publication types

Review