Paraganglioma of the facial nerve, a rare differential diagnosis for facial nerve paralysis: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

This report describes a rare case of histopathologically confirmed glomus facial tumor. The role of imaging in the differential diagnosis is discussed and therapeutic options are evaluated, along with a review of the previous literature on glomus facial tumors. A 39-year-old male patient presented with total peripheral facial nerve paralysis. He underwent radical tumor resection and facial nerve grafting for a histopathologically confirmed paraganglioma of the facial nerve. He is now tumor-free after a 4-year follow-up period, and the functional outcome after primary nerve grafting is satisfactory. Facial nerve paragangliomas are a rare cause of facial nerve paralysis. Early imaging using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is essential to clarify the differential diagnosis and assess the location and extent of the tumor. Precise pathological diagnosis requires additional targeted immunohistochemical examinations. The treatment of choice in patients with preoperative facial nerve paralysis is radical tumor resection with nerve reconstruction.