Ancient Schwannoma of the Infratemporal Fossa: A Case Report

Ancient schwannoma of infratemporal fossa arising from the trigeminal nerve is very rare in clinical practice.  

A 65-year old male presented to the outpatient department with a progressive swelling over the left parotid for 5 years and pain during chewing for 6 months which was diagnosed as benign spindle cell tumour on cytology. The tumor was excised with a combined transparotid and transmandibular cervical approach and the final pathology was confirmed to an Ancient Schwannoma.  

A giant infratemporal fossa Schwannoma extending to the parapharyngeal space masquerading as a parotid swelling is very unusual. Transparotid transmandibular excision of the infratemporal fossa tumor is an effective approach ensuring complete removal of the tumor with minimal postoperative complications and acceptable cosmoses.