Facial Nerve Schwannoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Diagnostic Challenge

ABSTRACT

Facial nerve schwannomas are rare lesions that may involve any segment of the facial nerve. Because of their rarity and the lack of a consistent clinical and radiological pattern, facial nerve schwannomas located at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. In this report, a case of a CPA/IAC facial nerve schwannoma is presented. Contemporary diagnosis and management of this rare lesion are analyzed.

KEYWORDS

Facial nerve schwannoma tumors - cerebellopontine angle (CPA) - facial paralysis - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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