title: Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma: clinician beware.
abstract: Intraparotid facial nerve schwannomas are rare neoplasms that are challenging to diagnose and manage. Many patients present with a painless, palpable facial mass. The presence of facial paralysis is variable. Imaging studies and fine-needle aspiration cytology are not always helpful in preoperative diagnosis. With early diagnosis of facial nerve schwannoma, management of the patient can be planned and, ultimately, facial nerve function optimized. By reviewing the literature and 2 cases from a series of patients seen in our practice, we provide insight into the current diagnosis and treatment of a rare pathology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA. ntanna@gmail.com
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanna
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Zapanta
authors.forename: Leela
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lavasani
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D035583:Rare Diseases; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed