Multiple schwannomas of the facial nerve mimicking cervical lymphoma: a case report

In this report, we describe the first case in literature of a patient with multiple schwannomas of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve.

A Caucasian patient presented with a sudden onset of left lower facial nerve palsy House-Brackmann score III for 1 month. Computed tomography imaging was performed to exclude a cerebral event and revealed multiple tumors within the left parotid gland. Duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scans delineated multiple, hypoechoic tumors, round in shape and well defined without a hilar structure along the left mandible. For histological verification, a left-side partial parotidectomy and extirpation of an intraparotideal node was performed with use of a nerve-integrity monitor. Histomorphological analysis of the resected tissue revealed a benign schwannoma. Facial nerve function remained unchanged since the operation. The size of the nonresected tumors is currently monitored regularly by ultrasonography. Fibromatosis has been excluded.

If multiple tumors occur in the parotid gland and the angle of the jaw, schwannomas need to be considered as a differential diagnosis. To plan the right diagnostic surgical intervention and prevent nerve damage, a thorough ultrasound examination is essential in preoperative diagnostic work-up for any suspicious lesion of the parotid gland and jaw region.