Epineurial pseudocysts of the intratemporal facial nerve.
OBJECTIVE
Facial nerve pseudocysts are infrequently encountered during temporal bone surgery or neurotologic evaluation. This report describes the senior author's experience with epineurial pseudocysts of the intratemporal facial nerve.


METHODS
Retrospective case review.


METHODS
Academic, tertiary referral center.


RESULTS
Epineurial pseudocysts were identified on computed tomography in the mastoid segment in seven patients during evaluation for profound sensorineural hearing loss or facial nerve symptoms. Histopathologic examination revealed fibroadipose tissue without nerve tissue in five cases that underwent excision.


CONCLUSIONS
Facial nerve epineurial pseudocysts are uncommon, benign lesions of the mastoid segment. Surgical excision may be safely performed for facial motor symptoms or for cochlear implant placement.
Pertzborn
Sarah L
SL
Departments of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0264, USA.
Reith
John D
JD
Mancuso
Anthony A
AA
Antonelli
Patrick J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed