Objectives: We describe a case of an unusual schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve presenting clinically as a malignant tumour of the floor of the oral cavity.
Case report: A 77-year-old woman presented with a bulky tumour located between the left anterior floor of mouth and the ventricular portion of the tongue. The tumour was ulcerated, painful and presented with a necrotic aspect. Neurological examination revealed a mild left hemiparesis of the tongue. MRI and CT showed a circumscribed tumour with a broad necrotic centre. The patient underwent a transoral excision of the tumour under general anaesthesia.
Conclusion: Schwannomas are generally managed by complete surgical excision but they can mimic primary or metastatic cancer in the head and neck, preoperative diagnosis is therefore necessary to avoid a wide excision.