Facial Nerve Schwannoma Complicated by Acute Hemorrhage After Treatment with Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Abstract

Background: Facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) are rare benign tumors that arise from Schwann cells of the facial nerve. FNSs are similar to vestibular schwannomas in many aspects, yet their infiltrative nature into the facial nerve fascicles warrants a more conservative management approach. In the last decade, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has shown promise in stabilizing or shrinking FNSs.

Case description: A 71-year-old woman presented with mild facial paresis. Tumor growth after a period of watchful waiting warranted treatment with SRS, which was complicated by an acute posterior fossa hemorrhage and brainstem compression, necessitating microsurgical hematoma evacuation, tumor resection, and facial nerve substitution.

Conclusions: SRS has led to better facial nerve function and outcomes and is currently considered a reasonable alternative to microsurgical resection in patients with FNSs. This is the first report to our knowledge of an acute, life-threatening hemorrhage after SRS in a patient with FNS.

Keywords: CyberKnife; Facial nerve neuroma; Facial nerve palsy; Facial nerve schwannoma; Intratumoral hemorrhage; Microsurgery; Radiotherapy; Stereotactic radiosurgery.