Facial and trigeminal neural dysfunction by a primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: MRI and clinicopathologic correlates.

Carcinomatous neural infiltration and subsequent neural dysfunction are phenomena associated with the facial nerve and parotid gland tumors, particularly adenoid cystic carcinoma. The association of primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (PCSCC) with these phenomena is not as well recognized, especially with respect to the involvement of the trigeminal nerve. By presenting the case history of a man who successively developed facial and trigeminal neural dysfunction after Mohs chemosurgery of a PCSCC, this paper documents histologically the occurrence of such neural invasion, and illustrates the utility of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance scanning in patient management.