Intracanalicular and intratemporal facial nerve schwannomas

Facial nerve schwannomas can mimic acoustic neuromas. We report herein two cases: a purely intracanalicular and an intratemporal facial nerve tumor extending into the internal auditory canal and the cerebellopontine angle. These tumors have to be suspected in patient with small-size tumors presenting with facial paralysis. We advocate translabyrinthine or middle fossa approach to facilitate nerve anastomosis. The establishment of the correct properative diagnosis is difficult, but the patient must be warned about the impossibility of preserving the facial nerve in these tumors.