Aim of the study: To emphasise the importance of meticulous history-taking and examination, and to raise the awareness of various possibilities in patient diagnosis and management. Schwannoma is a rare benign, slow-growing tumour of the nerve sheath originating from Schwann cells. Non-specific presentation of this type of mass remains a quandary mainly to the consulting physicians. At present, surgery is the main modality of treatment for this disease entity. However, surgical resection of extracranial schwannoma is often associated with major morbidity. Case report: We discuss a case of cervical schwannoma in a young man, presenting as a lateral neck mass initially thought to be a sebaceous cyst. Surprisingly, however, histopathological examination of the excised mass revealed it to be a schwannoma. Conclusion: We want to highlight the need for clinical suspicion among attending physicians in all cases involving a lateral neck mass.