Facial nerve schwannoma

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Left facial nerve palsy.

CT Temporal bone

ct

Bony scalloping and remodeling is noted at the left Fallopian canal.

MRI temporal bone

mri

MRI shows a facial nerve enlargement and enhancement along the fallopian canal, especially at the geniculate ganglion.

Case Discussion

Facial nerve schwannoma extending along the fallopian canal and bulkiest at the geniculate ganglion.

As schwannomas elsewhere, facial nerve schwannoma originates from the surface of the nerve, and displace and splay the nerve fibers over their eccentric growth. It can occur in any segment of the facial nerve and have a tendency to involve multiple segments. There is a known predilection for the region of the geniculate ganglion.

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