Diagnosis of Facial Nerve Schwannoma by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Enhancement of the Geniculate Ganglion

Abstract

diagnosis of facial nerve schwannoma was based on this enhancement pattern. The patient had a retromastoid craniotomy and intentional subtotal tumor resection. Intraoperatively, the normal-appearing portion of the right facial nerve was identified and noted to be contiguous with the tumor. The pathologicdiagnosiswasschwannoma.No operative complications occurred. Ten months postoperatively, the patient had radiosurgery of the residual tumor. One year after radiosurgery, the patient had full facial sensation, no eye dryness, and mild facial asymmetry. Follow-up imaging showed that the residual tumor had decreased in size (Figure 2), and the patient has returned to work. COMMENT