Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T23:43:35.598Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Plexiform neurofibroma of the cervical portion of the vagus nerve

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

J. Galli*
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
G. Almadori
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
G. Paludetti
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
M. Rosignoli
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
L. Corina
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
A. Ieraci
Affiliation:
Institute of Pathology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
*
Jacopo Galli, M. D., Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Roma (Italy)

Abstract

The authors describe a rare case of plexiform neurofibroma of the cervical portion of the vagus nerve, and discuss its aetiopathogenesis, clinical, histological and therapeutic features, emphasizing the difference from other benign tumours of the vagus nerve.

The clinical characteristics of the mass, ultrasound tomography, CT scanning and digital subtraction angiography were useful in defining its extension and relationships with the surrounding structures.

Surgery is the treatment of choice. After mentioning the most commonly employed surgical approaches, they emphasize the advantages of the lateral-cervical approach which allows a wide exposure of the possible sites of origin of the tumour and its complete removal.

Finally they stress the need of an accurate histological and immunohistochemical examination in order to differentiate neurofibromas from neurilemmomas.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bocca, E. (1984) Tumori parafaringei. In: Tumefazioni cervicali. Relazione Ufficiale 71 Congresso Societa' Italiana di Otorinolaringologia e Chirurgia Cervico-Facciale, Pacini, Pisa: 299318.Google Scholar
Chang, S. C, Schi, Y. M. (1984) Neurilemmoma of the vagus nerve. A case report and brief literature review. Laryngoscope, 94: 946–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cheong, S. P., Kwang, W. S., Choon, K. K. (1991) Neurilemmomas of the cervical vagus nerve. Archives of Otolaryngology?Head and Neck Surgery, 13: 439441.Google Scholar
Decurtins, C., Wey, W., Moll, C. (1988) Schwannoma and neurofibroma of the neck. HNO, 36: 437444.Google ScholarPubMed
Erlandson, R. A., Woodruff, J. M. (1982) Peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Cancer, 49: 273287.3.0.CO;2-R>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Franklin, D. J., Moore, G. F., Fish, U. (1989) Jugular foramen peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Laryngoscope, 99: 10811087.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gacek, R. R. (1983) Pathology of jugular foramen neurofibroma. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 92: 128133.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gill, P. S., Valentine, R. G., Oiler, D. W., Rob, C. G. (1988) Intravagal paraganglioma: report of a case and a discussion of vascular parapharyngeal masses. Surgery, 103: 432437.Google Scholar
Green, J. D., Olsen, K. D. (1988) Neoplasm of the vagus nerve. Laryngoscope, 98: 648654.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harkin, J. C. (1986) Pathology of nerve sheath tumours. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 486: 147154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krueger, W., Weisberger, E., Ballantyne, A. J., Goepfert, H. (1979) Plexiform neurofibroma of the head and neck. American Journal of Surgery, 138: 517520.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peetermans, J. F., Van de Heyning, P. H., Parizel, P. N., Martin, J. J., Forton, G. E., Vanmaele, R. G., Valcke, H. H., Marquet, J. E, De Schepper, A. M. (1991) Neurofibroma of the vagus nerve in the head and neck: a case report. Archives of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 13: 5661.Google ScholarPubMed
Silver, J. A., Mawad, M. E. (1984) Computed tomography of the carotid space and related cervical spaces. Part II: neurogenic tumours. Radiology, 150: 729735.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Som, P. M., Biller, H. F. (1981) Tumours of the parapharyngeal space. Preoperative evaluation, diagnosis and surgical approaches. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, Supplement 80: 315.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Som, P. M., Biller, H. E., Lawson, W., Sacher, M., Lanzieri, C. F. (1984) Parapharyngeal space masses: an updated protocol based upon 104 cases. Radiology, 153: 149156.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Som, P. M., Braun, I. E, Shapiro, M. D., Reede, D. L., Curtin, H. D., Zimmerman, R. A. (1987) Tumours of the parapharyngeal space and upper neck: MR imaging characteristics. Radiology, 164: 823829.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
St. Pierre, S., Theriault, R., Le Clerc, J. E. (1985) Schwannomas of the vagus nerve in head and neck. Journal of Otolaryngology, 14: 167170.Google ScholarPubMed
Thomassin, J. M., Zanaret, M., Inedjian, J. M., Canale, H., Cannoni, M., Pech, A. (1989) Laterocervical paraganglioma. Revue de Laryngologie, Otologie, Rhinologie, 110: 213217.Google ScholarPubMed
White, A. K., Smith, R. J. H., Bigler, C. R., Brooke, W. E, Shauer, P. R. (1986) Head and neck manifestations of neurofibromatosis. Laryngoscope, 96: 732737.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed