Abstract
This case illustrates the rare occurrence of a cystic schwannoma of the neck, presenting clinically and ultrasonographically as a type II second branchial cleft cyst. Histology demonstrated that it was in fact a rare cystic schwannoma, most likely arising from the cervical plexus. This is the first documented case of a cystic schwannoma of the neck being mistaken for a type II second branchial cleft cyst based on clinical and ultrasound findings alone. It suggests that more sophisticated radiological investigations, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may enable accurate diagnosis of a cystic schwannoma of the neck pre-operatively.
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Buchanan, M.A., Williams, S.M., Hellquist, H. et al. Cystic schwannoma of the cervical plexus masquerading as a type II second branchial cleft cyst. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 266, 459–462 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0678-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0678-9