J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2022 Apr;48(2):111-116. 10.5125/jkaoms.2022.48.2.111.

Endoscopic assisted transoral approach with palatal splitting for a giant retropharyngeal schwannoma: a challenging case

• Abd El-Fattah AM
• Attia M
• Ebada HA

• KMID: 2529924
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2022.48.2.111

Abstract

Retropharyngeal schwannoma is rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 18 cases have been published in the English literature. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for schwannomas. Transoral approaches have been applied for smaller lesions, and external cervical approaches are preferred for larger and more complex lesions. In this report, we present a case of large retropharyngeal schwannoma that was excised using an endoscopic-assisted transoral approach with palatal splitting. Postoperative functional and oncologic outcomes were satisfactory with no reported intraoperative/postoperative complications.

Keyword

Retropharyngeal; Schwannoma; Transoral

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Oral examination showing marked anterior bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall, pushing the soft palate.

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  Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance imaging scan showing the retropharyngeal tumor. A. Sagittal view. B. Axial view.

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  Fig. 3 The surgical technique. A. Palatal splitting. The arrows point to the edges of the palate after splitting, retracted with a suture loop. The asterisks point to the tongue, retracted by the retractor system. The posterior pharyngeal wall is bulging with intact mucosa. B. Posterior pharyngeal wall incision. The edge is grasped with Allis forceps. The tumor capsule is exposed. C, D. En bloc delivery of the mass. E. Palatal repair.

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  Fig. 4 Good healing was achieved after three weeks.

Reference

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