Neurinoma of the facial nerve

This paper deals with 2 cases of peripheral facial paralysis, due to intratemporal facial neuroma of tympanic (case No. 2) and vertical (case No. 1) segments of the Fallopian canal. The authors present a literature review of the intratemporal facial neuromas with special reference to clinical-surgical and differential diagnostic aspects. It is difficult to detect a Schwannoma of the facial nerve during a peripheral facial paralysis; radiological studies of the mastoid and Fallopian canal are essential for this diagnosis. Treatment of neurinomas of the VIIth nerve is always surgical, the authors emphasize the necessity of an 'en masse' tumor-nerve removal and the use of a nerve graft.