Nerves of steel: Superficial parotidectomy in cellular schwannoma performed without neurological sequelae

Schwannomas of the facial nerve are rare benign encapsulated neurogenic lesions. Clinically these patients do not have any facial nerve dysfunction whereas postoperatively features of facial nerve paresis are common. Intra-parotid Schwannomas are solitary, painless, slow growing masses mimicking the tumors of the parotid gland and have a different clinical presentation. Although this tumor arises from the nerve itself, the function of the facial nerve is generally unaffected. The greatest risk of operating on or around the parotid gland are the many known surgical complications – such as facial nerve paresis or palsy, hypoaesthesia and Frey’s syndrome (among others). Here we describe the management of a patient with cellular Schwannoma who was underwent superficial left parotidectomy which was accomplished without any subsequent neural deficit.