Base of tongue neurilemmoma: excision by transoral laser microsurgery

Benign and malignant tumors of the tongue base can be removed by various surgical approaches. A rare case of neurilemmoma of the base of the tongue removed by transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is presented. Schwannomas in this area usually present as a slow-growing, painless mass on the tongue surface. In this case, fiberoptic examination and magnetic resonance imaging were crucial as first step studies to elucidate the biology of the lesion.