INTRAPAROTID FACIAL-NERVE SCHWANNOMA IN A CHILD

Neoplasms of the facial nerve presenting as a parotid mass are uncommo n. In the absence of a facial palsy their origin from the nerve is usu ally diagnosed intraoperatively. The majority of these neurogenic neop lasms are schwannomas, with neurofibromas occurring rarely. Although t he Schwann cell is the key element in both, they have distinct histopa thological characteristics, and their clinical course and management o ften differs. The first reported case of an intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma in a child in the English literature is presented.