Primary thyroid Schwannoma Masquerading as a thyroid nodule: A case report with review of literature

Primary thyroid Schwannoma Masquerading as a thyroid nodule: A case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The thyroid gland is a very rare site for head and neck schwannomas (1) . Till date there have been only 19 reported cases in English literature (2). Only 25 % of Schwannomas occur in the head and neck region (2) , most of them arising in relation to the peripheral nerves and cervical sympathetic chain(3),(4) .
CASE PRESENTATION: We report a similar case, with clinical and sonological features of a benign thyroid nodule. The diagnosis of schwannoma was established on the final histopathology report and a review of the slides and the imaging available was done to confirm the site of origin . A thorough review of earlier reported cases ( only 15 completely reported cases in English literature ) showed the entity to mimic a benign thyroid nodule in most cases. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: We report this case along with a review of earlier reports to summarise the existing knowledge on the entity , emphasising its radiological appearance , the importance of IHC in pre operative diagnosis on FNAC slides as well the adequacy of a hemithyroidectomy being the treatment standard .