Tumors of the Facial Nerve

Primary tumors of the facial nerve are rare. The most common benign facial nerve tumors are facial nerve schwannomas and geniculate ganglion hemangiomas. Tumors of the facial nerve most commonly present with slowly progressive facial paralysis. Imaging with high resolution temporal bone CT scans and MRI scans are utilized to evaluate the precise extent of the tumors. Malignancies of the facial nerve are extremely rare and typically represent metastasis from distant sites or perineural spread of tumor from adjacent sites.