Objective: The objective of this study was to describe differences in clinical presentations
and to evaluate the long-term facial nerve (FN) function after surgery of facial nerve
tumors. Methods: A total of 34 patients operated between 1991 and 2013 were included in this retrospective
study. There were 20 men and 14 women, mean age of 41.2 years (range, 13-70). Eighteen
schwannomas (52.9%), 14 hemangiomas (42.2%), and 2 meningiomas (5.9%) were studied.
Results: Most of the patients had as revealing symptoms facial paralysis (n = 24; 70.6%), hearing loss (n = 7; 20.6%), vertigo (n = 18; 54%) or tinnitus (n = 8; 23.6%). Facial palsy revealed hemangiomas (n = 13; 92.9%), while schwannomas were revealed by both facial (n = 9; 50%) and cochleovestibular symptoms (n = 9; 50%). The facial palsy was also more severe in hemangiomas even small-sized:
according to House-Brackmann scale, FN function was IV or more in 77% of hemangiomas
and in 49% of schwannomas. One year after the surgery, the facial function according
to House-Brackmann scale was II in 1 case (3.8%), III in 11 (42.3%), IV in 11 (42.3%),
and 5 in 3 cases (11.5%). Conclusion: FNT are revealed by facial or cochleovestibular symptoms. Hemangiomas are more aggressive
concerning facial function. Total excision is necessary if there is a significant
facial palsy, with dissection of the nerve whenever possible, or reconstruction with
graft.
