Pedunculated Neurilemmoma of the Tongue Base

Abstract

Aneurilemmoma, also referred to as a schwannoma or neurimoma, is a benign, encapsulated tumor of the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Of the extracranial neurilemmomas, 25% affect the head and neck, with the lateral cervical region and mouth being the most common sites. Intraoral neurilemmomas may arise from both soft tissue and bone. The soft tissue lesions usually present as an asymptomatic, submucosal swelling in the tongue, lip, cheek, and palate. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with a symptomatic, exophytic, and pedunculated lesion at the tongue base, appearing papillomatous. Complete excision and pathologic evaluation revealed a neurilemmoma.