Great auricular nerve schwannoma: a rare presentation and literature review

Head and neck schwannomas are a rare form of tumour arising from the nerve sheath. They are often slow growing and asymptomatic, posing a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The great auricular nerve (GAN) provides cutaneous innervation to the lower pinna, ear lobule and the inferior periauricular area. Hence, surgical management of GAN schwannomas can have sensory and functional dysfunction postoperatively, necessitating good counselling and communication with the patient. We present the first documented case of GAN schwannoma in the West, with literature review and considerations for surgical management.