Tongue base schwannoma: case presentation and literature review

Abstract

Background: Schwannoma, also known as perineural fibroblastoma, neuroma, or neurilemmoma, is a slow growing benign tumor that exceptionally raises in oral cavity. It mainly affects the second and third decade and can be life-threatening if it becomes large. Developing in youth is unusual. Case presentation: A 16-year-old teenager presenting with relatively rapidly growing tongue base tumor which radiologic investigations revealed features of benign tumor, surgery was performed through a standard transoral approach and pathology with immunohistochemistry examination confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma with no evidence of malignant transformation. Conclusion: Oral cavity schwannoma is rare, and the prevailing oral location is the tongue. This particular site holds many risks related to impact symptoms or to anesthesia and securing airways. We performed a trans-oral resection of a tongue base schwannoma using a cold instrument. As the tumor is well encapsulated, this approach seems convenient and less invasive for complete surgical excision.