title: Facial Nerve Paralysis due to a Pleomorphic Adenoma with the Imaging Characteristics of a Facial Nerve Schwannoma.
abstract: Background Facial nerve paralysis in a patient with a salivary gland mass usually denotes malignancy. However, facial paralysis can also be caused by benign salivary gland tumors. Methods We present a case of facial nerve paralysis due to a benign salivary gland tumor that had the imaging characteristics of an intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma. Results The patient presented to our clinic 4 years after the onset of facial nerve paralysis initially diagnosed as Bell palsy. Computed tomography demonstrated filling and erosion of the stylomastoid foramen with a mass on the facial nerve. Postoperative histopathology showed the presence of a pleomorphic adenoma. Facial paralysis was thought to be caused by extrinsic nerve compression. Conclusions This case illustrates the difficulty of accurate preoperative diagnosis of a parotid gland mass and reinforces the concept that facial nerve paralysis in the context of salivary gland tumors may not always indicate malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Marc-Elie
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Erich M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sturgis
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Lawrence E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ginsberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Gidley
keywords: Schwannoma; benign; facial nerve paralysis; pleomorphic adenoma; salivary gland tumor
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