Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma masquerading as a vagus nerve: a case report

Abstract Schwannoma arising from the cervical sympathetic chain are rare slow-growing tumors which represent a diagnostic challenge. We report a 80-year-old female patient presented with anterior neck triangle swelling. The radiological assessment was based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which led to a preoperative diagnosis of vagus nerve schwannoma. However, surgical treatment revealed a cervical sympathetic chain mass rather than a vagus nerve mass. A complete removal was performed, and the anatomopathological examination was in favor of a schwannoma. In post-operative state, the patient presented a well-tolerated Horner’s syndrome.