Occult neoplasms in facial paralysis.

A review of 14 cases of occult neoplasms associated with facial paralysis indicated that when the onset was gradual over a period of weeks or months, when all of the scientific and technological investigations, including CT scanning, polytomes, neurosensory and otologic tests, sialography, lacrimation, taste, internal acoustic meatus, evaluation of the deep lobe of the parotid, and clinical examination of the parotid and neck were negative, the tumor was almost always found in association with the main trunk of the extratemporal portion of the parotid gland. Of these neoplasms, 80% were malignant tumors of the parotid gland and 15% were neurilemmomas of the main trunk of the facial nerve. The above situation is an indication for human assessment by surgical investigation of the facial nerve, with the first priority being given to the main trunk of the extratemporal portion.