Mediterr. J. Otol 2007; 3:(2)

Intrapetrous facial nerve tumors: Report of 3 cases and literature review

Andrea Ciorba, Marco Borgonzoni, Roberto Bovo, Alessandro Martini

Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Italy. alessandro.martini@unife.it

Facial nerve tumors are a very uncommon neoplasm. They may originate from any segment of the VIIth nerve, from the cerebellopontine angle to the peripheral branch in the parotid gland. Because of lack of specific clinical symptoms, diagnosis may be difficult. Small facial tumors may also remain asymptomatic and only be discovered incidentally.

Reports of tumor excision in which the nerve is left intact and functioning are scanty.

We present case reports of 2 facial nerve schwannomas and 1 facial nerve neuroma, at the intrapetrous location. We also review the literature, and characteristics of these diseases are discussed.