Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Cholesterol granuloma presenting with facial nerve paralysis following translabyrinthine surgery: A case report
Kyoko Odagiri1, Masashi Hamada1, Masahiro Iida1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Tokai University, School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan.
Background:
Cholesterol granuloma (CG) is a foreign body giant cell inflammatory reaction to blood degradation products, and clinically presents as a cyst with a thick fibrous lining filled with brownish-yellow fluid. We report an unusual case of CG with facial nerve paralysis 9 years after translabyrinthine (TL) surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal.
Case:
A 70-year-old woman, who underwent TL surgery previously, presented with left facial palsy (FP). CT findings revealed devastated cochlea and uncovered facial nerve, and progression of FP up to House-Brackmann grade 6 was observed. Therefore, we suspected recurrence of cystic VS or facial schwannoma, although MRI was inconsistent with that of schwannoma. The cyst was completely surgically excised, and histopathology confirmed CG diagnosis. Postoperatively her facial movement improved to grade 4. Recurrence has not been encountered since 7 years.
Conclusion:
During follow-up after TL surgery for VS, care should be taken for possibility of CG occurring.
