CHORISTOMA OF THE INTRACRANIAL MAXILLARY NERVE IN A CHILD - CASE-REPORT

This report describes what the authors believe to be the first reporte d case of choristoma of the intracranial maxillary nerve. This 12-year -old girl presented with a 5-year history of severe isolated left-side d trigeminal neuralgia. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass below the anterior portion of the left cavern ous sinus, enlarging the foramen rotundum. Total resection was achieve d via a pterional extradural approach. Histological examination reveal ed a choristoma composed of smooth-muscle fibers. The histogenesis of these tumors when they develop in a nerve remains unclear. They may re present abnormal migration or proliferation of neuroectodermal tissue in or close to a peripheral nerve. Total removal of these tumors shoul d be attempted at initial diagnosis.