Distal Facial Neuroma-A Rare Case Report

The presentation of facial nerve neuroma tends to be insidious and depends on the location and extent of the lesion. Slowly progressive or sudden facial weakness, often preceded by facial twitching, is a common presenting complain. Bone-targeted high-resolution CT of the temporal bone is believed to be superior to MRI. Enlargement of the facial nerve suggests involvement of a neoplastic process.4 MRI is complementary, providing information about the nerve itself. Abnormal enhancement indicates the presence of the tumor. High-resolution CT should be performed first to visualize the facial canal followed by MRI to demonstrate the actual tumor. In this case of insidious facila nerve palsy we see mass in the external auditory canal, hypotympanum and descending facial nerve canal.

Dr.Sumer K Sethi, MD
Sr Consultant Radiologist ,VIMHANS and CEO-Teleradiology Providers
Editor-in-chief, The Internet Journal of Radiology
Director, DAMS (Delhi Academy of Medical Sciences)