Shirley Wong (Medicine) presented a poster, "A Lateral Corticectomy Approach for Resection of an Intramandibular Schwannoma: A Case Report," at the 26th Annual Graduate & Professional Student Research Forum at UNLV. Schwannomas are benign tumors that develop from Schwann cells, usually appearing as solitary lesions or within neurofibromatosis syndromes. They typically arise from small peripheral nerves in the head, neck, and extremities, with intraoral and particularly intramandibular cases being exceedingly rare.

This study by Wong, in collaboration with Emily S. Sagalow, Nathan Lloyd, and Oluwafunmilola Okuyemi (all Medicine) focused on a 15-year-old female with a recurrent intramandibular schwannoma previously treated via enucleation. Due to the tumor's deep location within the mandible and the importance of preserving the dental roots and dentition because of the patient’s young age, a transcervical extraoral approach was chosen over a conventional intraoral method. The surgical team utilized a lateral corticectomy technique with biodegradable screws and plates to completely resect the tumor while maintaining dental integrity. The patient experienced good healing with expected mild right chin hypoesthesia at her 1-week postoperative follow-up, resulting from the schwannoma impacting the inferior alveolar nerve. Continued follow-ups over two years demonstrated successful long-term recovery. This case illustrates the effectiveness of lateral corticectomy in pediatric patients, providing a viable surgical option that minimizes morbidity and preserves critical oral structures.