Schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain - The Virginia experience

We present 4 cases of schwannomas arising from the cervical sympathetic cha in. These lesions are uncommon and most often present as an asymptomatic so litary neck mass. Preoperative diagnosis can be difficult, even with the ai d of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and angio graphy. While a paraganglioma con often be ruled out, exact determination o f the nerve of origin is frequently elusive until the time of surgery. Oper ative excision remains the treatment of choice. often requiring sacrifice o f a portion of the sympathetic chain. Postoperative Horner's syndrome is co mmon, bur does not appear to have an adverse effect on the patient.