CO₂ Laser for the Treatment of Auricle Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND Schwannoma, also called neuroma or neurolemmoma, is a tumor originating from the Schwann cells surrounding the nerves. It is an isolated benign tumor and its transformation into malignant cancer is very rare. Relatively uncommon, it is only the 5% of all the tumors of soft tissues. Its localization in the head and neck region accounts for up to 25-45% of schwannomas. In the outer ear, it commonly involves the external auditory canal, while auricle and tympanic membranes are very rare localizations of schwannomas. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 23-year-old male with a 3-year medical history of a growing neoplasm located in the left auricle concha, which was treated with a carbon dioxide laser (CO₂ laser) under local anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS Using a CO₂ laser allowed us to easily remove the tumor, reduce bleeding and surgical time, and avoid sutures and thus unsightly scars on the face. No complications and no relapse at 5 years of follow-up occurred.

Figure 1.

Left outer ear lesion (auricle).

Figure 2.

The tumor was well-circumscribed, and 1 cm at the major diameter and it appeared lobulated and whitish.

Figure 3.

(A) Hematoxylin and eosin stain: well circumscribed lesion. Antoni A areas with short fascicles and focal nuclear palisading (4× magnification); (B) strongly positive to anti-S100 protein (10× magnification).