Extracranial neurogenic tumors of the head and neck

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 Nov-Dec;81(6):604-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.08.012. Epub 2015 Sep 8.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Peripheric nerve tumors typically derive from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheet. Since these tumors are uncommon, they should be considered in preoperative differential diagnosis.

Objective: To report the experience of a tertiary care department.

Methods: Forty-two patients with head and neck peripheral neurogenic tumors were retrospectively analyzed and evaluated from 1977 to 2013. The preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy or imaging study.

Results: The mean age was 41.7 and 15 patients (36%) were male. The mean size was 5.5cm and 26 (61%) were located laterally in the neck. Most tumors (39.9%) presented as an asymptomatic neck mass. Most (39.9%) were resected through a neck approach. Cranial nerves were the commonest site of origin.

Conclusions: Extracranial neurogenic tumors presented with a mean size of 5.5cm, were located laterally in the neck, normally had their origin from cranial nerves, and their resection approach is cervical.

Introdução: Tumores dos nervos periféricos tipicamente derivam das células de Schwann da bainha dos nervos periféricos. Por serem incomuns, devem ser lembrados no diagnóstico diferencial pré-operatório.

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de serviço de referencia terciária.

Método: De 1977 a 2013, 42 pacientes com tumores neurogênicos periféricos da cabeça e pescoço foram operados e analisados retrospectivamente. A confirmação diagnóstica pré-operatória deu-se por biópsia ou método de imagem.

Resultados: A média da idade foi de 41,7 anos, sendo 15 indivíduos (36%) do gênero masculino. O tamanho médio foi de 5,5 cm e 26 (61%) localizavam-se na face lateral do pescoço. A maior parte (39,9%) apresentou-se como tumor palpável assintomático. A maioria (39,9%) foi ressecada por acesso cervical. A maioria originou-se de nervos cranianos.

Conclusões: Tumores neurogênicos extracranianos apresentam-se com tamanho médio de 5,5 cm, na face lateral do pescoço, costumam originar-se de nervos cranianos e ser ressecados por via cervical.

Keywords: Head and neck neoplasms; Neoplasias de cabeça e pescoço; Neurilemmoma; Neurilemoma; Neurofibromatose; Neurofibromatoses; Neurofibromatosis; Neurofibrosarcoma; Neurofibrossarcoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnosis
  • Neurofibroma / diagnosis
  • Neurofibromatoses / diagnosis
  • Neurofibrosarcoma / diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tertiary Healthcare
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult