Facial Nerve Hemangioma of the Lateral Portion of the Internal Acoustic Canal: A Case Report and a Review of Literature

Introduction Facial nerve hemangiomas (FNH) are rare tumors. Although it can occur in any portion of the nerve, it predominantly appears near the geniculate ganglion. We present a case of facial nerve hemangioma of an unusual location. Case Report A 30-year-old woman presented with right-sided severe hearing loss and progressive facial palsy. Magnetic resonance showed a 5 mm lesion in the lateral portion of the right internal auditory canal. Due to facial palsy, the patient was submitted to a translabyrinthine approach and a total tumor resection, followed by hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis. Discussion The facial nerve is susceptible in its path to expansive lesions, which have high morbidity. FNH is a rare and difficult-to-diagnose lesion. Computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance can be used in its diagnosis. The differential diagnosis of FNH includes, in addition to schwannomas, meningiomas, cholesteatomas, paragangliomas, and other temporal bone tumors. There is no well-established consensus on the best approach. Because of its slow growth and benign behavior, some studies suggest conservative treatment and serial imaging. However, surgery is the cornerstone of treatment, as it is the only curative option. Conclusion FNHs are often small but very symptomatic. Its high morbidity demands early diagnosis and, sometimes, surgical treatment.