Schwannoma of the Sinonasal Tract and the Pterygopalatine Fossa with or without Intracranial Extension.

AIMS

Compared with those in other head and neck regions, schwannomas in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses are rare. The aim of this study was to present the experience of the authors in 11 schwannoma cases of the sinonasal tract and pterygopalatine fossa over a decade.

METHODS

A retrospective study from 2003 to 2014.

RESULTS

Three female and 8 male patients from 22 to 61 years of age (mean age 42 years) were admitted. The most common complaints were unilateral nasal congestion. A total of 10 of the patients received surgery, including 6 functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS). The postoperative course was generally uneventful. Among the patients, 10 remained regionally asymptomatic, and there has been no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence or residual tumor.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment is effective for schwannomas of the sinonasal tract and the pterygopalatine fossa with a low recurrence rate. Conducting CT and MRI (particularly fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) before surgery is mandatory. FESS could become the primary treatment of choice.