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Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Extracranial glomus faciale tumour
S E J Connor1, M J Gleeson, E Odell
1Neuroradiology Department, Ruskin Wing, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK. sejconnor@tiscali.co.uk
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|July 21, 2007
Summary
A rare glomus faciale tumor, a type of paraganglioma, can present as a hypervascular parotid mass. Imaging, particularly computed tomography, is crucial for diagnosis and assessing skull base involvement.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Glomus faciale tumors are rare, typically arising from paraganglia along the facial nerve.
- Hypervascular parotid masses require careful differential diagnosis, including paraganglioma.
- Facial nerve involvement can lead to symptoms like facial weakness and pain.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old woman presented with facial weakness, pain, and a parotid mass.
- Ultrasound identified a hypervascular parotid mass; biopsy suggested paraganglioma.
- Computed tomography revealed extensive tumor involvement of the petrous temporal bone along the facial nerve canal.
Findings:
- Histological confirmation of a paraganglioma arising from the facial nerve within the parotid gland.
- The tumor demonstrated a predominantly extracranial, yet invasive, presentation.
- Computed tomography accurately depicted the tumor's extent and skull base erosion.
Implications:
- Glomus faciale tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular parotid masses.
- Advanced imaging like CT is vital for evaluating the extent of these tumors and skull base invasion.
- Accurate diagnosis and staging are essential for surgical planning and patient management.
