Schwannoma of the intrasternomastoid portion of the spinal accessory nerve: sophisticated pre-operative MRI diagnosis and appropriate surgical management.

In 1986, the authors reported the CT imaging findings which were specific for the diagnosis of schwannoma of the intrasternomastoid portion of the spinal accessory nerve. This successful imaging diagnosis led to appropriate surgical management with preservation of motor nerve function. In this manuscript, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to correctly diagnose the identical lesion, again with the same satisfactory surgical results. Both the CT and MRI findings are unique and specific, and the purpose of this short manuscript is to identify the MRI findings and link these to the previously recorded CT radiographic signs.