[Solitary intraparotid neurofibroma of the facial nerve. Symptomatology, biology and management].

Neurogenic neoplasms of the parotid gland are extremely uncommon. We present the case of a solitary intraparotid neurofibroma of the N. facialis occurring in a 55-year-old female who noted a painless left-side enlargement in the region of the parotid gland over a period of 2 years. Facial function was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-demarcated round mass within the left parotid. At surgery, a tumor was found involving the main trunk of the facial nerve, histopathologically representing a neurofibroma. Since solitary intraparotid neurofibromas are characterized by a very slow growth lacking the propensity for malignant transformation, the tumor was left to preserve facial nerve function. The clinical course over months or even years and the non-specific symptomatology are characteristic of intraparotid facial neurofibromas. Surgical management depends on the clinical setting in the individual case. Conservative treatment based on facial nerve preservation and leaving the tumor in situ is recommended, rather than radical tumor removal with resection of the segment of the N. facialis involved.