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Background: Facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) are exceedingly rare benign tumors. This study aims to report on a series of excised FNSs, providing clinical information and details on their surgical management, including novel approaches. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgical excision of FNSs in a private otology clinic and public tertiary referral center. The main outcome measures were facial nerve function, complete tumor removal, postoperative complications, tumor recurrence, and hearing. Results: Seventeen patients (10 men and 7 women) with a mean age of 44.23 years (SD, 12.21) underwent surgery during the study period. The most common symptom was facial nerve dysfunction (58.8%). Facial and otoneurologic symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo) were observed in 88.8% and 77.7% of patients, respectively. The middle cranial fossa (MCF) was the most common approach (six patients, 35.2%), followed by translabyrinthine (TL), transmastoid (TM), and combined TM‐MCF (three patients, 17.6% each). Exclusive endoscopic transcanal suprageniculate (ETS) and mastoid combined with cervical approaches were applied once in two patients, 5.8% each. Total tumor removal was achieved in all cases. No significant postoperative complications were observed. The mean follow‐up period was 193.2 months (SD, 119.5) and no tumor recurrence was observed. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence for the safety and efficacy of various surgical approaches for FNS, and incorporates the endoscopic transcanal approach. Level of evidence: 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The suprageniculate fossa (SGF) is located between the geniculate ganglion, the middle cranial fossa (MCF) and the anterior semicircular canal (ASCC). An endoscopic transcanal approach has been recently proposed to treat the different lesions in this area. The aim of the study is to describe the anatomical pathway of this approach by measuring the dimensions of its boundaries while checking their correlation with the pneumatization of the SGF area. Methods: This is a retrospective anatomical analysis of Cone Beam CT scans of 80 patients, for a total of 160 temporal bones analyzed. Two checkpoints were measured for the SGF route, as an internal and an external window. These are triangles between the MCF dura, the geniculate ganglion and the ASCC on parasagittal and axial planes. The pneumatization of the SGF was also assessed, classified and correlated with the measured dimensions. Results: The depth of the SGF was 7.5 ± 1.8 mm. The width of the external window was 7.5 ± 1.9, 5.6 ± 2.4 and 1.6 ± 1.6 mm for the posterior, middle and anterior points of measurement, respectively. The height of the internal window was 7.6 ± 1.2, 4.5 ± 1.5 and 1.7 ± 1.7 mm for the posterior, middle and anterior points of measurement, respectively. Type A pneumatization was found in 87 cases, type B in 34 and type C in 39. The degree of pneumatization directly correlated to the depth and height of the fossa. Conclusions: The suprageniculate approach route is defined by the internal and external windows which should be evaluated during a pre-surgery imaging assessment. The detailed anatomy of the approach and the novel classification of the pneumatization of the SGF are here described which may be useful to plan a safer procedure with minimal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]