[Facial nerve neurinomas].
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of diagnostic, surgical technique, treatment results facial nerve neurinomas and its comparison with literature was the main purpose of this study.


METHODS
Seven cases of patients (2005-2011) with facial nerve schwannomas were included to retrospective analysis in the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw. All patients were assessed with history of the disease, physical examination, hearing tests, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, electronystagmography. Cases were observed in the direction of potential complications and recurrences.


RESULTS
Neurinoma of the facial nerve occurred in the vertical segment (n=2), facial nerve geniculum (n=1) and the internal auditory canal (n=4). The symptoms observed in patients were analyzed: facial nerve paresis (n=3), hearing loss (n=2), dizziness (n=1). Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography allowed to confirm the presence of the tumor and to assess its staging. Schwannoma of the facial nerve has been surgically removed using the middle fossa approach (n=5) and by antromastoidectomy (n=2). Anatomical continuity of the facial nerve was achieved in 3 cases. In the twelve months after surgery, facial nerve paresis was rated at level II-III° HB. There was no recurrence of the tumor in radiological observation.


CONCLUSIONS
Facial nerve neurinoma is a rare tumor. Currently surgical techniques allow in most cases, the radical removing of the lesion and reconstruction of the VII nerve function. The rate of recurrence is low. A tumor of the facial nerve should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nerve VII paresis.
Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii WUM, Kierownik: prof. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Warszawa, Poland. Electronic address: jacsokolowski@gmail.com.
Jacek
J
Sokołowski
Robert
R
Bartoszewicz
Krzysztof
K
Morawski
Barbara
B
Jamróz
Kazimierz
K
Niemczyk
D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Facial nerve neurioma; Middle fossa aproach; Tympanoplasty; dostęp przez środkowy dół czaszki; nerwiak nerwu twarzowego; tympanoplastyka