Intraparotid Neurofibroma of the Facial Nerve: A Case Report.
BACKGROUND
Intraparotid neurofibromas of the facial nerve are extremely rare and mostly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).


METHODS
This is a case of a healthy 40-year-old man, which underwent surgery for a preoperatively diagnosed benign parotid gland lesion. After identification of the facial nerve main trunk, a single large mass (6 x 3 cm) incorporating the upper nerve division was observed. The nerve portion involved in the mass could not be dissected and was inevitably sacrificed with immediate neuroraphy of the upper division of the facial nerve with 6/0 prolene. The final histopathology revealed the presence of a neurofibroma. Complete left side facial nerve paralysis was observed immediately postoperatively but the function of the lower half was returned within 4 months and the upper half was returned after 1 year. Currently, after 3 years of follow up, there are no signs of recurrence and normal facial nerve function is observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurofibroma should be considered as the diagnosis in a patient demonstrating a parotid mass. In cases where it is diagnosed intraoperatively, excision of part of the nerve with the mass will be inevitable though it can be successfully repaired by end to end anastomosis.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
Ahmed-Abdel-Fattah
AA
Nofal
Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
Mohammad-Waheed
MW
El-Anwar
Facial Nerve; Neurofibroma; Parotid Gland