일측 돌발성 안면신경마비로 발현된 안면신경초종

Facial nerve schwannoma with sudden onset of facial palsy

Facial nerve schwannomas(neurilemmoma) are uncommon tumors that involve the facial nerve. They are frequently misdiagnosed due to subtle and variable clinical presentations. We present a case of a 42-year-old female patient with facial nerve schwannoma who presented as sudden onset of facial palsy mimicking steroid responsive Bell’s palsy. This case shows that affected patients develop unilateral facial paralysis over one to three days with forehead involvement and no other neurologic abnormalities were developed. Patient with facial palsy who do not improve or aggravate on medication should include evaluation for other causes of facial nerve palsy of tumorous condition.