Preauricular Intraparotid Schwannoma: A Rare Presentation with Literature Review

Schwannoma is a benign tumor rarely found in the intraparotid facial nerve region. It clinically presents as a slow-growing, asymptomatic mass. Due to its rare presentation, preoperative diagnosis is often unclear before surgical removal and histopathological examination. Imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play an important role in suggesting the nature of mass and narrowing down the differentials. The CT scan offers the advantage to detect the relationship of the facial nerve and osseous changes within the bone, however MRI shows a mass relative to brain type of tissue. We report a rare case of intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma in a 17-year-old female who had sustained swelling in her left preauricular area for 5 years. Ultrasonography and CT findings revealed the impression of pleomorphic adenoma. However, MRI and histopathological findings were characteristic of schwannoma. Thus, this article provides an insight into a rare presentation of schwannoma with literature review.