A Case of Facial Nerve Schwannoma Presenting as an External Auditory Canal Mass

ABSTRACT

Facial nerve schwannoma is a rare benign tumor that arises from the Schwann cell sheath of facial nerve. Although the tumor can occur anywhere along the course of the peripheral nerve, it is frequently present as an internal auditory canal mass in the head and neck region. We experienced a rare case of facial nerve schwannoma on the mastoid segment, which was presented as an external auditory canal mass in a 24-years-old man. The lesion was removed via the transmastoid approach and the facial nerve was grafted using the greater auricular nerve. The patient's facial nerve function was preserved postoperatively as House-Brackmann grade III.