[Schwannoma of the intrathoracic vagus nerve]

Schwannomas, or neurilemomas, are tumors that originate in the sheaths covering peripheral nerve fibers. They are usually encapsulated, slow growing, and asymptomatic. Such tumors may appear in any nerve, although most are found in the extremities. Intrathoracic vagus schwannomas are very rare and only 72 cases have been reported. We present a new case in a 39-year-old man in whom chest film showed a well-defined, homogeneous mass measuring 3 cm in diameter located in the left para-aortic region. The presence of a smooth tumor on the vagus nerve and recurrent loop was confirmed by left lateral thoracotomy. After removal, the tumor was shown to be a vagal nerve schwannoma.