Hearing loss and facial palsy as presenting symptoms of Schwannoma of the jugular foramen

A schwannoma (or neurilemmoma) of the jugular foramen is a rare tumour of the head and neck region arising from the cranial nerve sheaths and/or the sympathetic chain. Due to its location, in the early stages of growth there is usually a lack of symptoms. Furthermore, it tends to grow slowly, and progressively involves adjacent cranial nerves so that the nerve in which the tumour originated may be difficult to identify. Appropriate imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) allow accurate differential diagnosis and surgical planning. Schwannomas of the jugular foramen appear as sharply demarcated, contrast-enhancing tumours, which are typically centred or based in an enlarged jugular foramen having sharp and round bony borders with a sclerotic rim. Intraosseus extension may be marked. The authors report a case associated with rapid progression leading to death, and review the English literature