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Extremely rare case of retropharyngeal space benign plexiform schwannoma - Excised through Smith- Robinson Approach
Rajendra Sakhrekar1, Vishal Peshattiwar1, Ravikant Jadhav1
1Departments of Spine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Background:
Approximately 25-45% of schwannomas are typically slow-growing, encapsulated, and noninvasive tumors that occur in the head-and-neck region where they rarely involve the retropharyngeal space. Here, we report deep-seated benign plexiform schwannoma located in the retropharyngeal C2-C5 region excised utilizing the Smith-Robinson approach.
Case Description:
A 30-year-old male presented with dysphagia and impaired phonation attributed to an MR documented C2-C5 retropharyngeal schwannomas. On examination, the lesion was soft, deep seated, and extended more toward the right side of the neck. Utilizing a right-sided Smith-Robinson's approach, it was successfully removed. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a plexiform schwannoma.
Conclusion:
Retropharyngeal benign plexiform schwannomas are rare causes of dysphagia/impaired phonation in the cervical spine. MR studies best document the size and extent of these tumors which may be readily resected utilizing a Smith-Robinson approach.
