Neurofibroma around the Ear Canal: Report of Three Cases

Facial nerve neurofibromas are an uncommon entity, particularly in the intraparotid region. Three cases are presented herein, including the first reported case of both an intratemporal and intraparotid facial nerve malignant neurofibroma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first medical publication to describe a neurofibroma involving both the intratemporal and intraparotid regions. The aim of this clinical record was to present the surgical experiences in three cases of intratemporal and intraparotid facial neurofibroma. Of the three cases of neurofibroma included in this report, the first case was a 30-year-old male who initially presented with a parotid mass without facial dysfunction. The other two cases were intratemporal neurofibromas, one of which was confirmed as a plexiform neurofibroma by pathology. These tumors often involve two or more segments of the facial nerve. The outcomes of these tumors are closely related to nerve integrity, preoperative facial nerve function level, and the follow-up period. Neurofibromas are most commonly found with neurofibromatosis type 1 and are characterized by incorporation of the nerve fibers within their matrix. Presentation of the intratemporal facial neurofibromas is variable, with facial palsy most common. Furthermore, the incidence of a solitary neurofibroma of the facial nerve originating in the parotid region is extremely low.