Slowly progressive facial paralysis: Intraneural squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary

ConclusionIn cases of slowly progressive facial paralysis the clinician needs to consider malignancy until proven otherwise. Without an identifiable primary malignancy, early algorithmic assessment of presenting characteristics may facilitate expedited clinical decision making and surgical management of malignancy involving the facial nerve. In cases of slowly progressive facial paralysis, when the time comes for surgical exploration and biopsy, head and neck surgeons must be aware that malignancy can exist entirely within the facial nerve, without pathologic changes on the surface of the nerve or in the surrounding tissue.
Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research