Imaging of Carotid Canal Sympathetic Plexus Schwannoma

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. 1212 - 1215
• Main Authors: HAMILTON, J. D, DEMONTE, F, GINSBERG, L. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL American Society of Neuroradiology 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carotid Arteries - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Arteries - innervation; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Head and Neck; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Neurilemmoma - diagnostic imaging; Perception; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Superior Cervical Ganglion - diagnostic imaging; Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vision; Nervous system diseases; Radiodiagnosis; Blood vessel; Canal; Carotid; Neurinoma; Circulatory system; Benign neoplasm; Artery
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a2471

One case report of a schwannoma involving the sympathetic plexus in the carotid canal has been reported previously. This article presents 2 additional cases of this rare entity with associated clinical and unique radiographic findings. All patients presented with diplopia among other symptoms, and they had enhancing masses that smoothly expanded the carotid canal on cross-sectional imaging. Comparison with the index case and differential diagnosis of more common pathologies in this area are discussed.