Primary middle ear schwannoma

Schwannomas of the middle ear may originate from the nerves of the middle ear cavity or by extensions from neighboring structures. We present a case of a 51-year-old female patient with primary middle ear schwannoma believed to arise from Jacobson's nerve. The tumor was easily divided from the facial nerve and the chorda tympani nerve. Erosion of the promontory was noted, and the jugular foramen and posterior wall of the ear canal were preserved without destruction. The mass was successfully removed by a canal down mastoidectomy procedure, while preserving the hearing and facial nerve functions of the patient. To our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of a patient with Jacobson's nerve schwannoma.