Spontaneous regression of a cystic hypoglossal schwannoma causing unilateral tongue atrophy

Abstract A 60-year-old lady presented with intermittent headaches. Examination revealed striking marked unilateral tongue atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic lesion in the hypoglossal canal and a provisional diagnosis of cystic hypoglossal schwannoma made. Annual surveillance...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of neurosurgery 2014-01, Vol.28 (1), p.133-134
Main Authors: Durnford, Andrew J., Harrisson, Stuart E., Ditchfield, Adam, Shenouda, Emad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atrophy - etiology
Atrophy - pathology
Brain
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - complications
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - pathology
Cysts - complications
Cysts - pathology
Female
Humans
hypoglossal nerve
Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases - complications
Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases - pathology
Medical diagnosis
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
Neurilemmoma - complications
Neurilemmoma - pathology
Neurosurgery
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Regression analysis
schwannoma
Tongue - pathology
tongue atrophy
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Summary:Abstract A 60-year-old lady presented with intermittent headaches. Examination revealed striking marked unilateral tongue atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic lesion in the hypoglossal canal and a provisional diagnosis of cystic hypoglossal schwannoma made. Annual surveillance scans showed stable appearances but surprisingly at 3 years they showed a significant reduction in the size of the lesion. Most patients with hypoglossal schwannomas present with ipsilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy; careful cranial nerve examination is vital in diagnosing such rare lesions. Little is known of their natural history, with most lesions undergoing surgery. This case highlights spontaneous regression following non-operative management.
ISSN:0268-8697
1360-046X
DOI:10.3109/02688697.2013.815321