Peripheral facial palsy, the only presentation of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the skull base

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral facial palsy is rarely caused by primary neoplasms, which are mostly constituted of tumors of the central nervous system, head and neck, and leukemia.

Presentation of case: A 2-month-old male infant presented with asymmetric facial expression for 3 weeks. Physical examination revealed suspicious findings of right peripheral facial palsy. Computed tomography of the temporal bone revealed a suspicious bone tumor centered in the right petrous bone involving surrounding bones with extension into the middle ear cavity and inner ear. Subtotal resection of the tumor was performed due to crucial structures adjacent the mass. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the resected tumor was consistent with primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Conclusion: We report a rare case of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor located at the skull base presenting with only peripheral facial palsy.

Keywords: Facial palsy; Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET); Skull base neoplasm.