Intranasal schwannoma in a child: A rare cause of upper airway obstruction

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2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To describe the diagnosis and management of a child with intranasal schwannoma and emphasize the difficulty in correctly diagnosing this rare and benign condition in children. Material and methods: The medical record of a 9-year old male with intranasal schwannoma was reviewed. Data included relevant history and physical examination, diagnostic workup and management. Results: A 9-year-old Hispanic boy presented to the pediatric otolaryngology clinic for evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea. The patient complained of snoring, difficulty breathing through the nose, and epistaxis. Physical examination revealed bilateral congested inferior turbinates, hyponasality, and bilateral tonsillar hypertrophy. The patient could not tolerate flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy. Imaging studies a well-defined soft tissue lesion extending from the posterior nasal cavity into the nasopharynx. Final pathology of the mass after en bloc removal was schwannoma. Conclusion: The present case emphasizes the difficulty of diagnosing intranasal masses in children, the importance of thorough upper airway evaluation in children with snoring and nasal obstruction and the need to consider schwannoma in the differential diagnosis. The transnasal endoscopic approach with the use of a microdebrider may provide complete visualization and resection of intranasal tumors extending into the nasopharynx.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-58
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Extra
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

Keywords

  • Children
  • Intranasal tumor
  • Nasal obstruction
  • Schwannoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Otorhinolaryngology

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