Approximately 5% of all facial paralyses are of neoplastic origin while approximately 80% represent idiopathic or Bell's palsies. Whenever a tumor is suspected accurate testing is imperative; testing aimed at the nerve trunk both above and especially below the stilomastoid foramen. In fact, occult neoplasms are much more frequently located within the parotid. The present work presents a case where facial palsy was associated with profound ipsilateral hearing loss. Diagnostic efforts were, therefore, focussed on the cerebello-pontine angle and the Fallopian canal, thus delaying recognition of its real etiology (a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid).
Possibilities of diagnostic errors in paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve
STOMEO, Francesco
1989
Abstract
Approximately 5% of all facial paralyses are of neoplastic origin while approximately 80% represent idiopathic or Bell's palsies. Whenever a tumor is suspected accurate testing is imperative; testing aimed at the nerve trunk both above and especially below the stilomastoid foramen. In fact, occult neoplasms are much more frequently located within the parotid. The present work presents a case where facial palsy was associated with profound ipsilateral hearing loss. Diagnostic efforts were, therefore, focussed on the cerebello-pontine angle and the Fallopian canal, thus delaying recognition of its real etiology (a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid).I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
