Chorda tympani schwannoma: one new case revealed during malignant otitis externa and review of the literature.

Facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) are a rare entity that are poorly reported in literature. Although the estimated prevalence is extremely low, FNS are the most common primary tumor of the facial nerve. FNS occur throughout the course of the facial nerve and its branches, and chorda tympani schwannomas are quite rare. In 2010, Huoh and Cheung reported that seven additional chorda tympani schwannoma had appeared in literature since the first report by Nager in 1969. Most of the cases were isolated, with only two cases reporting multiple neuromas in patients with neurofibromatosis. The presenting symptoms of isolated chorda tympani schwannoma were conductive hearing loss, tinnitus, and facial palsy. Interestingly, taste disturbance