Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma in a 40-Year-Old Male with Hearing Loss – A Case Report

Abstract

Schwannoma is a benign tumor of axonal nerve sheath. Head and neck area, particularly parotid gland is an uncommon site for Schwannoma, however it can rarely arise from the intraparotid part of facial nerve and present as either a symptomless mass or facial paresis. Its diagnosis before surgical intervention is important for the conservation of parotid gland and facial nerve. On clinical examination and imaging studies, it can be misdiagnosed easily. FNAC is a helpful tool for its diagnosis. This entity should not be ignored while dealing with parotid masses. We present a case of a patient who came with the complaint of a parotid mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan suggested a parotid tumor which proved to be a spindle cell neoplasm on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). A definite diagnosis of schwannoma of intraparotid facial nerve was made on histopathological examination of the excision sample.