Glossopharyngeal schwannoma: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

Among posterior fossa tumours, schwannomas arising from glossopharyngeal nerves are extremely rare, and only 39 cases of glossopharyngeal schwannomas have been described. The clinical and imaging features of glossopharyngeal schwannomas closely resemble that of acoustic schwannomas. Despite its accuracy, magnetic resonance imaging is not diagnostic of a ninth nerve schwannoma. This is because the schwannoma may be primarily localised to the cerebellopontine angle and may not cause enlargement of the jugular foramen. The diagnosis is possible only at surgery, once attachment to the ninth cranial nerve is seen. Because of the different surgical implications and management, preoperative recognition will help in determining the operative approach. We review the relevant literature and discuss the clinical presentation, radiological features and surgical findings in a 52-year-old woman with glossopharyngeal schwannoma.