Traumatic facial nerve neuroma with facial palsy presenting in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the management of traumatic neuroma of the facial nerve in a child and literature review.


METHODS
Sixteen-month-old male subject.


METHODS
Radiological imaging and surgery.


METHODS
Facial nerve function.


RESULTS
The patient presented at 16 months with a right facial palsy and was found to have a right facial nerve traumatic neuroma. A transmastoid, middle fossa resection of the right facial nerve lesion was undertaken with a successful facial nerve-to-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis. The facial palsy improved postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
A traumatic neuroma should be considered in an infant who presents with facial palsy, even in the absence of an obvious history of trauma. The treatment of such lesion is complex in any age group but especially in young children. Symptoms, age, lesion size, growth rate, and facial nerve function determine the appropriate management.
Clark
James H
JH
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. jclark79@jhmi.edu
Burger
Peter C
PC
Boahene
Derek Kofi
DK
Niparko
John K
JK
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009463:Neuroma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016634:Radiosurgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome