Work

Case Report: Facial nerve schwannoma: comprehensive surgical management with nerve reconstruction and hearing rehabilitation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Facial nerve schwannomas are rare tumors that pose diagnostic and surgical challenges. We report a 17-year-old female with progressive right-sided facial paresis initially misdiagnosed as Bell's palsy. MRI revealed a contrast-enhancing lesion of the facial nerve. She underwent a two-stage surgery: tumor resection via mastoidectomy and hearing rehabilitation, followed by facial nerve reconstruction using masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer and cross-face sural grafting. At nine months postoperatively, facial function improved from House-Brackmann grade V to III, and hearing was preserved. Early imaging and multidisciplinary management can enable complete tumor resection with functional restoration and favorable outcomes.

Source: Frontiers in Surgery

DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1734804

Authors: F. Deffner, A. Aschendorff, S. Arndt, S. U. Eisenhardt, F. Hassepaß, M. C. Ketterer

Institutions: University of Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg

Language: English

Topic: Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801