Neurofibroma in the mastoid segment of the facial canal

Neural tissue-derived facial nerve tumours usually present as neurinomas. We describe the extremely rare occurrence of a histologically verified neurofibroma primarily arising in the mastoid segment of the facial canal in a patient not fulfilling diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis. The tumour showed evidence of perineural growth into the jugular foramen, as suggested by cross-sectional imaging and intraoperative findings.