Imaging and Clinical Characteristics of Parotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannomas can be mistaken for pleomorphic adenomas on imaging and cytology, which may lead to unnecessary surgery and facial nerve injury. We reviewed 10 cases from our institutional data base and present the imaging and clinical characteristics that characterize intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma. Clinicoradiographic features include an asymptomatic parotid mass along the expected course of the intraparotid main facial trunk, “target sign” on MR imaging, and benign osseous expansion of the stylomastoid foramen effacing the fat pad.