Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report

Generally, less than half of neurogenic tumors are found in the head and neck region. Within that distinction, the majority of them originate from a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in the neck. Schwannomas are benign tumors arising from Schwann cells, which form the myelin sheath of peripheral nerves. In the medical literature, evidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve schwannomas is sparse. This report describes the case of a 77-year-old woman with a history of multinodular goiter and primary hyperparathyroidism. During parathyroid exploration, an isolated schwannoma was incidentally found arising from the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. The lesion was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation. To avoid vocal cord paralysis, the tumor was not resected. The patient was managed conservatively and remained asymptomatic over six years, with stable tumor size on imaging. This case highlights the importance of identifying rare neurogenic tumors during neck surgery and weighing surgical risks against functional outcomes.