Laryngeal schwannomas.

ABSTRACT

As laryngeal schwannomas are a threat to breathing, they must be removed. CT and MR provide an accurate pre-operative work-up of these lesions. The clear delineation of the tumoral attachment to the larynx proved to be very useful in the difficult management of our second patient. Our two laryngeal schwannomas exhibited a similar appearance which differed from those of the few other laryngeal nerve sheath tumors reported in the literature The low attenuating outer part correlated with Antoni B areas. The denser enhancing inner part correlated with Antoni A areas containing large vessels. This unusual tumoral appearance, which has been observed in some other peripheral schwannomas, must bring this diagnostic possibility to mind. However, this clearly contrasting distribution of the two components of schwannomas is not the most commonly observed in other locations. More reports are needed to establish whether this special appearance is characteristic of laryngeal location.