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Case Reports
. 2022 Jan 18;14(1):e21392.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.21392. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Preoperative Challenges in Managing Intraparotid Schwannoma

Mohamed Iliyas Sultan Abdul Kader  1   2 , Asma Abdullah  1 , Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus  1 , Mohd Najib Jaafar  3 , Thean Yean Kew  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Preoperative Challenges in Managing Intraparotid Schwannoma

Mohamed Iliyas Sultan Abdul Kader et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Schwannomas are a benign and rare entity that originates from Schwann cells. The majority of schwannomas are found in the head and neck regions and usually involve the intratemporal course of the facial nerve (FN). Isolated extratemporal intraparotid involvement is very rare. It is very challenging to diagnose intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma (PFNS) based on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) preoperatively. We report a case of an intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma masquerading as pleomorphic adenoma. The diagnostic challenges and imaging features along with its management are discussed.

Keywords: facial nerve; head and neck neoplasms; imaging; parotid; schwannoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. T2-weighted MRI (T2WI).
Image showing a well-defined lesion in the right parotid gland with a central homogeneous hyperintense component (*) suggestive of a cyst. Note the heterogeneous peripheral solid component with a few smaller microcysts within.
Figure 2
Figure 2. T1 VIBE fat-saturated image.
In a post-gadolinium image, the peripheral solid component enhances, surrounding the central non-enhancing hypointense cystic component (*). A smaller cyst (arrow) is also noted within the peripheral solid component. Note the normal mastoid segment of the right facial canal (dotted arrow) in relation to the parotid lesion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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