Management of solitary fibrous tumour in the head and neck region: clinical and surgical considerations

A man in his 30s, recently relocated and socially vulnerable, presented with a year-long history of a left-sided cervical mass and recent neurological symptoms. Initial imaging suggested a neurogenic tumour, most likely a vagal schwannoma. However, immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong and diffuse expression of CD34 , vimentin and STAT6 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6), confirming the diagnosis of a solitary fibrous tumour. The patient underwent successful preoperative embolisation followed by complete surgical resection. Postoperative recovery was uneventful apart from mild cervical discomfort. This case highlights the importance of combining imaging with histopathology to distinguish between morphologically similar lesions in the head and neck. It also reinforces the value of multidisciplinary planning and the need for long-term follow-up due to the risk of late recurrence, even in tumours with benign histological features.