Unusual massive neurinoma in the suboccipital region--case report

An 8-year-old boy with no evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease presented with an unusual neurinoma manifesting as a gradually progressive swelling in the suboccipital region over 2 years. The lesion was massive and had widely eroded the posterior aspects of the atlas, axis, and suboccipital bone. The tumor had involved the dura of the sigmoid and transverse sinuses, was highly vascular, and had encased the ipsilateral vertebral artery. The tumor was almost completely resected although with considerable loss of blood through a large rent in the right sigmoid sinus. This unusual benign neurinoma most probably arose from the second cervical ganglion.