Schwannoma originating in the soft palate: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Schwannomas are relatively uncommon, benign, slow-growing neoplasms, which are derived from schwann cells that can arise from any cranial, peripheral, or autonomic nerves. The involvement of the palate is a rare presentation and hardly reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report the case of a 39-year-old woman with a history of a foreign body sensation in the throat and difficult swallowing. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Oral examination showed a smooth, non-tender, right-sided, soft palate mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a well-defined, non-enhancing, homogenous pedunculated soft tissue mass arising from the posterior edge of the right side of the soft palate. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME: The mass was excised completely under local anesthesia in the clinical setting using a CO(2) surgical laser. The mass was sent for histologic analysis, which confirmed the diagnosis of a benign schwannoma. CONCLUSION: Eventually, upon follow-up at six months post excision, no evidence of recurrence was detected.