Intratemporal facial nerve neurinoma--case report

A 59-year-old female had episodes of vertigo for 13 years, right tinnitus for 6 years, and right hearing difficulty for 2 years. She had no facial nerve dysfunction or other neurological deficits. Postcontrast computed tomography (CT) did not show abnormalities, but a wide, high-window CT scan revealed erosion of the petrous pyramid on the right side. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly delineated the entirety of a small tumor transecting the petrous bone. At operation a neurinoma was found to originate from the facial nerve proximal to the geniculate ganglion; it was totally removed. This case is unique in that she had a long history of signs and symptoms of acoustic nerve disturbance, but no facial nerve dysfunction whatsoever.