Trigeminal neurofibroma in the infratemporal fossa arising from the inferior alveolar nerve: A case report

Abstract

Solitary neurofibromas arising from cranial nerves are rare, and those arising from the peripheral divisions of the trigeminal nerve are even rarer. Although infratemporal fossa (ITF) masses are challenging to remove, certain approaches are considered feasible for this region. The present study reports a rare case of an ITF neurofibroma arising from the inferior alveolar nerve. The 27-year-old male patient presented with numbness of the right jaw. A radiological examination revealed a large mass occupying the ITF, from the mandible to the foramen ovale, originating from the inferior alveolar nerve in the mandible. The tumor was successfully excised via a transtemporal approach followed by a transoral-retromolar approach. A histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of neurofibroma. The present case demonstrates that a combination of the transtemporal and transoral-retromolar approaches may provide wide access to the ITF region.

Pediatric multicompartmental trigeminal schwannoma: illustrative case

“…29 By contrast, one must consider the differential diagnosis of neurofibroma, particularly in children with neurofibromatosis type 1, which originates from the nerve or perineural cells. 30 This diagnosis necessitates destruction of the nerve to achieve resection, with potentially significant consequences for development. In general, neurofibroma resection should be limited to the offending component rather than extirpation of all the involved branches of the trigeminal nerve, which would not be feasible or advisable.…”