Intraparotideal Facial Nerve Schwannoma

91 Schwannomas are rarely seen, benign, well-capsulated tumors which are originated from schwann cells of myelinated peripheral nerves.1 At craniocephalic area twenty five percent of all schwannomas are found.2 Although vagus nerve is the most common affected cranial nerve from schwannoma, facial nerve schwannoma (FNS) can be also rarely detected. It mostly arises at the intratemporal part of the nerve. Incidence of intraparotid FNS is just 10% of all facial nerve schwannomas.3 The most common complaint is chronic asymptomatic single-sided parotid mass. Even though the tumor is related to facial nerve; its dysfunction is seen in only 20% of all patients.4,5 Pleomorfic adenoma, which is the most common benign tumor in parotid gland, has similar clinical features and can cause late diagnose of intraparotid FNS preoperatively. For diagnosis ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAC), computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be helpful however intraparotid FNS are usually recognized during surgery. In our study, we present our clinical approach related to the diagnosis and management of a case with intraparotid FNS.