A Case of Schwannoma of the Chorda Tympani with Facial Palsy

Abstract

We report herein on a rare case of schwannoma of the chorda tympani with facial palsy. A 34-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of right facial palsy which was resistant to steroid intervention and anti-viral drugs. In the physical examination, a white mass was observed in the posterior superior quadrant of the tympanic membrane and the facial palsy score was 0/40. Computed tomography revealed a tumor in the right chorda tympani, extending from the branch of facial nerve to the malleus. Based on the physical, physiological and imaging tests, the patient was diagnosed as having a tumor of the right chorda tympani with facial palsy. For the purpose of resection and definitive diagnosis of the tumor, a surgical intervention was performed. Histologically the tumor was diagnosed as a schwannoma, and immunohistochemically the tumor cells were positive for S-100. After surgery, the patient’s facial palsy completely resolved in six weeks. There has been no finding of recurrence two years after surgery.