Abstract
In only two of 70 cases of parotid gland tumor surgery with facial nerve preservation performed between June 1984 and March 1991, were we unable to locate the main trunk of the facial nerve. One tumor was a benign pleomorphic adenoma 45 mm in size, the other was an acinic cell tumor of 30mm. Preoperative diagnosis of both cases based on the findings of the physical examination, results of X-ray, CT, MRI, and sialography, was deep lobe tumor. Surgery revealed the location of both tumors in the lateral site of the main trunk of the nerve. There are few cases in which it is necessary to locate the facial nerve at the peripheral branch. Among these cases is a widely occupied mass between mandible, mastoid process and styloid process visualized on examination of X-ray, CT and MRI. The easiest route to locate the facial nerve from the peripheral branch was from the mandibular branch.
