[The management of facial nerve tumors involving the internal auditory canal].

OBJECTIVE

10 summarize tne clinical features of the facial nerve tumors involving the internal auditory canal and promote the management of facial nerve tumor.

METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical manifestations, the experiences of diagnosis and treatment of the facial nerve tumor involving the internal auditory canal. All these 5 cases were enrolled during January 2013 to Apr 2015.

RESULT: Among the 5 cases, 3 cases were facial neurilemmoma and the others were facial neurofibroma. The main symptoms of facial nerve tumors involving the internal auditory canal most commonly were facial paralysis companied with hearing loss. All the patients accepted the surgical treatment with various approaches, 3 cases of translabyrinthine approach, 1 case of middle fossa approach, and 1 case of combination of translabyrinthine and transotic approach. Total tumor resection were achieved in all 5 cases. Facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis was performed in one case, another case was undergone great auricular nerve graft.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention for patients with facial neuroma involving internal auditory canal should be considered when facial weakness has deteriorated to grade 4. The management should be based on the patient's hearing, facial nerve function, tumor size and invasive extension to select the appropriate surgical procedures.