Author(s)

Ieong Chon Man, Kong Soi Chau

Department of Radiology, Conde de São Januário Hospital, Macao, China.

Background: Schwannoma is a benign tumor derived from Schwann cells. The most common location was cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Neurilemmoma originated from the thyroid gland is very rare. Purpose: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cervical vagal schwannoma and the causes of misdiagnosis and preventive measures. Case Presentation: A case of cervical vagal schwannoma misdiagnosed as nodular goiter by ultrasonography was analyzed retrospectively. This patient was found to have pain in the neck for 1 month and then went to our hospital for treatment. After admission, a 5 cm × 4 cm mass was found on the left side of the neck, with a medium texture and clear margin. It could move with swallowing. Initially ultrasound showed a well circumscribed hypoechoic mass in the left thyroid lobe, which is suggestive of hemorrhage of thyroid nodule. Biopsy of thyroid nodules after ultrasound guided biopsy revealed Schwannoma. Surgical treatment and postoperative pathological examination confirmed cervical vagal schwannoma. The patient recovered well and was discharged 9 days after operation. Conclusion: The location of thyroid schwannoma is rare, the relationship between thyroid schwannoma and surrounding tissues is unclear, and there is no typical ultrasonic manifestation. Moreover, if doctors are not aware of their knowledge, it is easy to cause misdiagnosis. Radiologists should raise awareness of the disease and carefully analyze the results of ultrasonography in combination with the clinical manifestations of the patients so as to reduce or avoid misdiagnosis of cervical schwannoma.

Schwannoma, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Ultrasonography, Misdiagnosis, Goiter, Nodular

Man, I. and Chau, K. (2018) Ultrasound Diagnosis of Cervical Vagal Schwannoma Misdiagnosed as Nodular Goiter. Open Journal of Radiology, 8, 203-208. doi: 10.4236/ojrad.2018.84023.