Tongue schwannoma, an uncommon oral cavity mass: Experience from a case

Abstract

Schwannomas are benign tumors arising from the Schwann cells, located in the peripheral nerve sheath. The incidence of tumor in the oral cavity is <1%, and the tongue is the most prevalent place in that area. A 32-year-old Hispanic female was sent from the otolaryngology department with a diagnosis of an oral mucocele in the oral cavity floor, after 8 months complaining of dysphonia and dysphagia. Physical examination reveals a submucosal mass in the anterior and ventral portion of the tongue. After characterization with magnetic resonance and biopsy guided by tomography, she underwent surgical management, with no complications. Tongue schwannomas are often misdiagnosed based on their very low incidence. A proper approach including a good physical examination, imaging and histological characterization of the lesion, and proper surgical management of this entity, will lead to cure this condition, with a low relapse rate.