A facial nerve schwannoma masquerading as a vestibular schwannoma
Prasai, A.; Jones, S.E.M.; Cross, J.; Moffat, D.A.
Ear Nose and Throat Journal 87(9): E4-E6
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1942-7522 PMID: 18800315 Document Number: 619371
Schwannoma of the facial nerve is an extremely rare condition with an incidence far lower than that of vestibular schwannoma. We discuss the case of a woman who had been diagnosed as having vestibular schwannoma and referred to our hospital. Initially, we concurred with the diagnosis, but on reassessment of magnetic resonance imaging scans before surgery, we revised the diagnosis to facial nerve schwannoma. This allowed us to counsel the patient appropriately preoperatively regarding the expected outcome. We discuss the importance of this case and the lessons to be learned from it.