Adult ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; Female ; Glomus Jugulare Tumor ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis

Adult ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors that originate from any anatomical site. Most schwannomas occur in the head, neck or limbs, but rarely occur in the retroperitoneal space. Furthermore, the schwannoma originating from the vagus nerve of retroperitoneal space is much rare. We experienced a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma of the vagus nerve. A 34-year-old male was refered to our hospital for the evaluation of abdominal mass on ultrasonography. Endoscopic examination revealed submucosal tumor-like lesion on high body of the stomach. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that the stomach was compressed by a solid tumor in the retroperitoneum. On exploratory laparotomy, this mass turned out to be a baseball sized mass in the retroperitoneal space. The mass was excised in an encapsulated state. Histological examination with immunohistochemical stains revealed a schwannoma of the vagus nerve.
Adult ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; English Abstract ; Humans ; Male ; Neurilemmoma/*diagnosis ; Retroperitoneal Space ; *Vagus Nerve ; Vagus Nerve Diseases/*diagnosis

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma (IFNS) is a rare benign tumor. The management of IFNS is very challenging because of the lack of appropriate methods for preoperative diagnosis, which is often conducted intraoperatively in most cases. This article reviewed the literature on IFNS recorded in PubMed from 1958 to 2014 and described in detail its clinical manifestations, diagnoses and differential diagnoses, and treatment options. Accurate diagnosis for IFNS mainly depends on intraoperative observation and postoperative histological examination. Preoperative facial nerve function, localization, and adherence, as well as preferences of IFNS patients are important factors to consider in the decision-making process for IFNS management to optimize the outcomes. Surgical resection is usually reserved for patients with facial function of House-Brackmann grade III or worse; otherwise, conservative treatment can be adopted.
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Face ; Facial Nerve ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

Cranial Fossa, Middle ; pathology ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Ganglioneuroma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Trigeminal Ganglion

Jugular foramen neurilemmoma is frequently manifested as a jugular foramen syndrome or extraaxial mass. Neurilemmoma arising from the cranial nerves of the foramen, although rare, may be manifestated as an intracranial or extracranial mass lesion. When the tumor is located only in the intracranium, it is often misdiagnosed as an acoustic neurinoma or a brainstem tumor because of their similarity in clinical or radiological findings. We present a rare case of jugular foramen neurilemmoma with only intracranial extension with clinical and radiologic features of an intra-axial brainstem tumor.
Brain Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; *Brain Stem ; Case Report ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Female ; Human ; Middle Age ; Neurilemmoma/*diagnosis

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; pathology ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; pathology ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features of facial nerve neuroma about its diagnosis and management.

METHODSTen patients with facial nerve neuroma were analyzed retrospectively from February 1993 to August 2005. The period of follow-up varied from 1.5 years to 10 years (mean 5 years). Facial nerve function was evaluated with House-Brackmann grading system.

RESULTSThe patients complained of facial paralysis in 7 cases, otitis media in 1 case, a mass in parotid gland in 1 case and a mass on the side of the orbital on face in 1 case. Seven patients were undergone either CT scan or MRI or both. Image studies revealed mass located along the facial nerve course from the nerve endings to the intracranial parts. All the patients accepted the surgery. Intraoperative findings showed that the tumor location matched the image findings. Postoperative pathological diagnosis demonstrated 8 Schwannoma, 2 neurofibroma. There was partial tumor resection in 1 patient accepted and his nerve function was unchanged. Four patients were undergone facial nerve graft but 1 case failed while facial nerve function was improved in 3 other patients. Two patients underwent tumor resection while the continuity of facial nerve was preserved as result their facial nerve function improved respectively. No facial nerve reconstruction was done on other 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONSMultiple origins of facial nerve neuroma were noted and the most common system was facial nerve palsy. The decision on how to treat these patients should be individualized and based on initial facial function, growth rate, surgical experience and informed patient consent. The more effective methods need being seeked for the management of facial nerve neuroma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; physiopathology ; Facial Paralysis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

The authors reviewed retrospectively the records of 27 cases of posterior fossa tumor in patients below the age of 60 among the 387 brain tumor cases admitted to Kyungpook University Hospital during the last 10 years. The posterior fossa tumors were 34.2% of the total 79 cases of pediatric brain tumors. The most frequently involved age group was 6~8 years. Headache(40.7%) and vomiting(37.0%) were the most common initial presenting symptoms. Cerebellar signs, Cranial nerve palsy and motor weakness were found in 66.7%, 9.6% and 11.1% of the cases respectively. Cerebellar midline was the most frequently involved site(63.0%). In order of frequency, the pathological diagnoses were medulloblastoma, ependymoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor(PNET), and astrocytoma. Hydrocephalus was noted in 70.4%, and shunt surgery was done in 28.6%. Surgery followed by radiation therapy was used in most of the cases.
Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Child* ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Ependymoma ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infratentorial Neoplasms* ; Medulloblastoma ; Neural Plate ; Retrospective Studies