INTRACANALICULAR AND INTRATEMPORAL FACIAL-NERVE SCHWANNOMAS

Facial nerve schwannomas can mimic acoustic neuromas. We report herein two cases: a purely intracanalicular and an intratemporal facial nerv e tumor extending into the internal auditory canal and the cerebellopo ntine angle. These tumors have to be suspected in patient with small-s ize tumors presenting with facial paralysis. We advocate translabyrint hine or middle fossa approach to facilitate nerve anastomosis. The est ablishment of the correct properative diagnosis is difficult, but the patient must be warned about the impossibility of preserving facial ne rve in these tumors.