[A post-styloid mass revealing a parapharyngeal schwannoma].

Abstract

Introduction: The schwannoma of the glossopharyngeal nerve is a rare etiology among the tumor masses developed in the parapharyngeal space.

Case report: We report the case of a 33 years old woman in whom a large schwannoma of the left glossopharyngeal nerve was discovered incidentally on a brain MRI. Respiratory evolutionary prognosis imposed trans-oral surgical treatment.

Discussion: We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for the benign tumors of the parapharyngeal space.

Conclusion: The schwannoma of the glossopharyngeal nerve is a benign rare lesion. The difficulty lies on the surgical strategy and the choice of the approach. The functional suites are marked by difficulty swallowing and require intensive speech therapy.