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Updated: May 11, 2026

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Primary paraganglioma in the facial nerve canal
Kuniyuki Takahashi1, Yutaka Yamamoto1, Shinsuke Ohshima1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Niigata University, Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Objective:
To describe primary paraganglioma in the facial nerve canal and discuss the characteristics of facial nerve paraganglioma in contrast with other tumors.
Case Report:
A 23-year-old man developed gradually progressive right facial palsy as the initial symptom. One year later, he exhibited hearing loss without tinnitus in his right ear. CT demonstrated an enlarged facial nerve canal with irregular bony erosion of the circumference. MRI showed a well-enhanced heterogeneous mass with hypo-intensity spots inside it. During surgery, a blood-rich tumor was observed along the facial nerve: however, extensive bleeding interfered with tumor removal. The surgical specimen demonstrated paraganglioma. The tumor was completely removed in the second surgery in combination with arterial embolization. Facial nerve function was reconstructed with a free muscle flap more than one year following resection.
Conclusion:
Because paraganglioma is a blood-rich tumor, it is important to perform angiography and embolization. If preoperative facial nerve palsy is demonstrated, careful management of facial nerve function is needed. Paraganglioma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a facial nerve tumor.
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