[Neurinoma of the intratemporal facial nerve. Anatomo-clinical classification of 12 cases].

Neuromas of the intratemporal facial nerve are uncommon benign tumors, mostly schwannomas. An anatomo-clinical classification is proposed in view of the 12 cases reported here: neuromas of the internal auditory canal and of the cerebello-pontine angle, presented as a sensorineural hearing loss; neuromas of the geniculate ganglion area, presented as a progressive facial palsy, or mimicking a facial palsy a frigore; tympano-mastoid neuromas, presented as a retro-tympanic mass or a tumor extended into the external auditory canal, associated with a conductive hearing loss. Complete excision of the tumor requires the resection of a segment of the nerve that is immediately restored with end-to-end anastomosis or placement of a cable-graft. In some cases, however, the facial nerve can be preserved.