Sometimes they are located atypically in the upper mediastinum or in the thyroid gland. They are tough to find. Schwannoma Well encapsulated masses usually found in the anterior lateral neck or in the posterior lateral oral pharynx or nasal pharynx. Most commonly arise from cranial nerve 10 in the neck. Carotid space location for cranial nerve 10.
Nerve runs behind the carotid and tends to bow the carotid anteriorly.
With contrast schwannomas may have low signal center probably due to collagen content. Neurofibromas may be indistinguishable from schwannomas when imaged. Those found at carotid bifurcation tend to splay the crotch of the common carotid artery. Embolization often helpful prior to removal. Lipoma Benign well encapsulated fat containing tumors usually in the subcutaneous or submucosal regions.