We recently managed a rare and technically demanding case of parapharyngeal schwannoma at the Department of Surgical Oncology, SDM Medical College and Hospital.

A 33-year-old woman presented with a vague sensation of fullness in the throat, localized to the right posterior pharyngeal wall. Clinical examination revealed no palpable neck mass. Imaging studies demonstrated a well-circumscribed lesion in the right parapharyngeal space, arising from the vagus nerve and extending cranially up to the skull base, with close proximity to the carotid artery and internal jugular vein.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) performed twice yielded only hemorrhagic material, and biopsy was not feasible due to the deep location and risk to adjacent structures. With a clinical impression of a vagal schwannoma, a decision was made to proceed with surgical excision.

The tumor was successfully excised via a transcervical approach through a small neck incision. Careful intraoperative dissection allowed complete tumor removal with preservation of the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and adjacent neural structures. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged in stable condition without any cranial nerve deficits.

Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of benign schwannoma.

This case underscores the expertise and precision of our surgical oncology team headed by Dr Pavan Kumar , in managing complex tumors located in anatomically challenging regions. The Department of Surgical Oncology at SDM Medical College and Hospital remains committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based oncologic care tailored to individual patient needs