Macrocystic schwannoma in the seventh cervical nerve.

We have recently treated a case of asymptomatic macrocystic schwannoma discovered between the left neck and the supraclavicular fossa. The tumor, originating from the left seventh cervical nerve, was extirpated. Nearly 70 percent of the tumor area showed macrocyst with transparent fluid collection. The tumor was diagnosed as macrocystic schwannoma histopathologically. Schwannoma is often associated with small cysts but rarely with macrocysts. Because schwannoma is a benign tumor, partial resection against an attempt at total removal resulting in progressive neurologic deficits is recommended. In general, schwannoma does not present any apparent symptoms at an early stage, because it occurs and progresses very slowly. Schwannoma originating at the spinal nerve root has been called a dumbbell-shaped tumor because of its characteristic shape on MRI and cystogram images. We recently have treated a case of dumbbell-shaped tumor that was an asymptomatic macrocystic schwannoma in the seventh cervical nerve.