Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Perineural invasion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma along the zygomaticotemporal nerve
Gregory Notz1, David Cognetti, Ann P Murchison
1*Skull Base Division, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Institute; and †Department of Otolaryngology/Head Neck Surgery, Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Abstract:
The vast majority of periocular squamous cell carcinoma spreads intraorbitally along the supraorbital and infraorbital nerves into the cavernous sinus. A patient presented with a history of resected squamous cell carcinoma and pain in the zygomatic distribution. She was found to have temporalis involvement of the malignancy and invasion of the zygomaticotemporal nerve by histopathology. She underwent aggressive resection and adjuvant treatment with no evidence of recurrence at 8-month follow up. This case illustrates an uncommon route of squamous cell carcinoma spread through the zygomaticotemporal sensory nerve distribution.

