Cervical sympathetic neuralgia arising from a schwannoma

Headache. 2007 Mar;47(3):444-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.00734.x.

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of neuropathic pain of the left face and shoulder accompanied by ipsilateral hyperhidrosis caused by a schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain. Additional signs of associated sympathetic hyperactivity included left-sided lacrimation, conjunctival injection, and nasal congestion. Autonomic testing demonstrated signs of increased vasomotor and sudomotor activity in the left palm. The pain was refractory to analgesic and antimigraine medications but resolved following surgical resection of the T2 schwannoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Face*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperhidrosis / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neck / innervation
  • Nervous System Neoplasms / complications*
  • Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neuralgia / etiology*
  • Neurilemmoma / complications*
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnosis
  • Shoulder*