Malignant transformation in a benign encapsulated schwannoma of retropharyngeal space: a case report.

Malignant schwannomas are rare in the head and neck, however benign schwannoma of this area are common. Cases of malignant schwannoma have been reported in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, eye, parapharyngeal space and neck with or without an association of von Recklinghausen disease. We described a case of an asymptomatic solitary malignant schwannoma arising in the retropharyngeal space which was treated by local excision and postoperative radiotherapy. To our knowledge, this case may be the first reported case in the world literature.