Clinical and histopathological features of a large parapharyngeal neurilemmoma located at the base of the tongue.

Neurilemmomas of the tongue have only been sporadically reported in the literature. Vague symptoms and limited knowledge of this kind of tumor may result in long delays before diagnosis and treatment. The rarity of the lesion in this area is the main reason why we report this case of neurilemmoma. After observation of a mass in the tongue, magnetic resonance imaging showed a large tumor with central necrosis localized to the base of the tongue. Needle electromyography disclosed no nerve lesion. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was negative, whereas biopsy revealed a neurilemmoma. The tumor was surgically removed, and histopathology, including immunohistochemistry, of the resected specimen disclosed the typical neurilemmoma. The postoperative course was uneventful.