Multicystic Facial Nerve Neurinoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Facial nerve neurinoma (FNN) can present as masses in the internal auditory canal or cerebellopontine angle and may mimic an acoustic neurinoma. A 44-year-old male presented with a huge facial schwannoma extending into both the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle but without manifesting facial nerve palsy. Neurological examination on admission revealed no deficits except for speech disturbance. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) showed a multicystic tumor extending into the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle, with destruction of the petrous bone. The tumor was totally grossly removed. Histological examination identified schwannoma. Facial nerve palsy is one of the most typical symptoms in patients with facial schwannoma, but is not always manifested even if the tumor extends into both the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle. They must be differentiated both clinically and radiologically from acoustic neurinomas.




J Med Cases. 2015;6(8):350-352
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2241w