Rare Case of Middle-Ear Schwannoma Arising from the Nerve of Jacobson

Abstract

Background and Aim: Tumors of the temporal bone and skull base tend to arise from three locations: the middle ear (including the mastoid), the jugular foramen, and the petroclival junction (or the petrous apex). Schwannomas are relatively uncommon benign tumors of the middle ear. They may arise from the VIIth, IXth, Xth, or XIth cranial nerve, or even originate from neighboring structures. The aim of the present study is to report an extremely rare case of a middle-ear schwannoma, which arose from the tympanic branch of the IXth nerve (Jacobson's nerve).