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Review
. 2023 Jul;19(4):303-310.
doi: 10.5152/iao.2023.22940.

Facial Nerve Tumors in Children: Two Clinical Cases and a Review of the Literature

Mariapaola Guidi  1 , Flavio Giordano  2 , Simone Peraio  2 , Greta Conti  3 , Renzo Guerrini  3 , Franco Trabalzini  1
Affiliations
Review

Facial Nerve Tumors in Children: Two Clinical Cases and a Review of the Literature

Mariapaola Guidi et al. J Int Adv Otol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

We provide an extensive review of clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of primitive facial nerve tumors in children, and report 2 recent personal observations. We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, Medline, and ScienceDirect and collected information on patients' age, symptoms, tumor types and sites, diagnostic procedures, surgical approaches, and outcomes. Overall, we reviewed 26 pediatric cases from 20 papers. About 69.2% of children presented with some degree of facial palsy. Other symptoms included hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus. 84.6% of tumors were schwannomas, followed by meningiomas, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and germ cell tumors. The geniculate ganglion was the most commonly affected segment of the facial nerve. A total of 92.3% of children received surgery as complete or partial tumor resection. Facial nerve function improved in 26.9% of children. No tumor recurrence was reported. Facial nerve tumors are extremely rare in children but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial palsy, even in newborns. Audiometric and radiologic examinations are necessary; radiologic imaging allows to determine tumor localization, and the correct surgical approach surgery is suggested in almost all cases.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Right ear: pure tone audiometry.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
CT scan shows the mass on the right side involving the GG and the tympanic segment on the FN, in coronal (A) and axial (B) view. CT, computed tomography; GG, geniculate ganglion.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A: axial contrast-enhanced 1-weighted MRI shows enhancement of the right side mass. B: CT scan showing the tumor erosion of the right internal acoustic canal (white arrow). C and D: Coronal and sagittal MRI showing the mass effect of the tumor compression and dislocating the brainstem. CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
CT scan shows an enlargement of the left FN at the level of the GG in the axial view, white matter arrow (A) and in the coronal view, white matter (B). CT, computed tomography; FN, facial nerve; GG, geniculate ganglion.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
T1-MRI shows mild gadolinium enhancement at the GG level on the left side. GG, geniculate ganglion; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Surgery imaging of the edematous FN. FN, facial nerve.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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