Hypopharyngeal schwannoma

Abstract

Schwannomas are benign tumors of nerve cells and are particularly quite rare in the hypopharynx. To our knowledge only nine cases have been reported world-wide. We present a 27-year-old Hausa/Fulani housewife who developed slowly progressive and unremitting hoarseness and foreign body sensation in the throat. She had indirect laryngoscopy at presentation with subsequent examination under anesthesia, which revealed a soft ovoid pinkish swelling arising from the posterior pharyngeal wall in the hypopharynx. After a preliminary tracheotomy, the mass was mobilized and delivered trans-orally. She made an uneventful recovery and was discharged home. This uncommon presentation further emphasizes the dilemma of access and approach posed by hypopharyngeal masses.