A rare case of intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma

Facial nerve schwannomas are benign, encapsulated, slow-growing tumors arising from Schwann cells of seventh cranial nerve, rarely found in the parotid gland. Clinical diagnosis is usually difficult because other unilateral parotid tumors, such as the pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumor or mucoepidermoid carcinoma, occur as an asymptomatic slow-growing mass. This report describes a case of a 76-year-old female affected by asymptomatic intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma. Morphological characteristics, clinical course, radiographic and histopathological features, and surgical therapy are discussed.