RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurogenic tumors in the head and neck are relatively rare and constitute around 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. Schwannoma, among neurogenic tumors, is a benign tumor originating from the spinal nerve root, peripheral nerve and all kinds of cranial nerves except the optic nerve and olfactory nerve. By presenting a series of head and neck schwannomas treated during a fifteen-year period, we aimed to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of schwannomas retrospectively. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical records of 34 patients with head and neck schwannomas who were treated surgically at the University Hospital from January, 1995 to January, 2010. RESULTS: We found 34 cases of schwannoma in the head and neck. Among the patients, 14 were males and 20 were females. The most common age group was the 60's while the most common site was the parapharyngeal space. The most common presenting symptom was palpable neck mass and the mean duration of symptoms was 41.6 months. The most common nerve of origin was the cervical plexus (29.4%). Preoperative diagnostic tools were FNA, CT and MRI. All cases were treated surgically and the most common postoperative complication was both transient and permanent voice changes. The mean follow-up period was 18.3 months and recurrence was not found during this period. CONCLUSION: Thirty-four cases of schwannoma in the head and neck were presented with respect to their clinical features.