Hypertrophic neuropathy is a peripheral nerve lesion that is histologically characterized by onion bulb formations around axons. This histologic picture, which is usually seen in generalized hypertrophic neuropathies, can occasionally be observed in single nerves as localized hypertrophic neuropathy. Cranial involvement of such localized hypertrophic neuropathy represents a very rare entity; only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report the history of a progressive facial paralysis with a tumorous enlargement of the seventh cranial nerve that was clinically suspected of being a schwannoma. Pathological examination permitted the diagnosis of hypertrophic neuropathy.
BaskinDSTownsendJJWilsonCB. Isolated hypertrophic interstitial neuropathy of the trigeminal nerve associated with trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurosurg1981; 55: 987–90.
6.
ChangYHoroupianDSJordanJ. Localized hypertrophic mononeuropathy of the trigeminal nerve. Arch Pathol Lab Med1993; 117: 170–6.
7.
KusamaKIwamotoAMikuniM. Acase of central perineurioma (Lazarus and Trombetta) of the mandible. J Nihon Univ Sch Dent1981; 23: 10–7.
8.
NeelyJGArmstrongDBensonJNeblettC. “Onion bulb” formation associated with a solitary neoplasm of the eighth nerve sheath. Am J Otolaryngol1981; 2: 307–13.
9.
BrawleyBWKellyWA. Interstitial hypertrophic neuritis of the eighth cranial nerve. J Neurol Sci1966; 8: 225–37.
RouseRWarnkeR. Special applications of tissue section immunologic staining in the characterization of monoclonal antibodies and in the study of normal and neoplastic tissues. In: WeirDMBlackwellCLHerrenbergLA. Handbook of experimental immunology.Vol 4. Edinburgh, Scotland: Blackwell, 1986;chap 116: 1–16.
12.
EmoryTSScheithauerBWHiroseTWoodMOnofrioBMJenkinsRB. Intraneural perineurioma: A clonal neoplasm associated with abnormalities of chromosome 22. Am J Clin Pathol1995; 103: 696–704.
ArizaABilbaoJMRosaiJ. Immunohistochemical detection of epithelial antigen in perineurial cells and perineurioma. Am J Surg Pathol1988; 12: 678–83.
15.
TheakerJMFletcherCDM. Epithelial menbrane antigen expression by the perineurial cell: Further studies of peripheral nerve lesions. Histopathology1989; 14: 581–92.
16.
TsangWYWChanJKCChowLTCTseCCH. Perineurioma: An uncommon soft tissue neoplasm distinct from localized hypertrophic neuropathy and neurofibroma. Am J Surg Pathol1992; 16: 756–63.
17.
MitsumotoHWilbournAJGorenH. Perineurioma as the cause of localized hypertrophic neuropathy. Muscle Nerve1980; 3: 403–12.
18.
LazarusSSTrombettaLD. Ultrastructural identification of a benign perineurial cell tumor. Cancer1978; 41: 1823–9.
McCannELSmithTWChadDASargentJ. Severe cranial nerve involvement in longstanding demyelinating polyneuropathy: A clinicopathologic correlation. Acta Neuropathol (Berl)1996; 91: 309–12.
21.
AustinJH. Recurrent polyneuropathies and their corticosteroid treatment; with five-year observations of a placebo-controlled case treated with corticotrophin, cortisone, and prednisone. Brain1958; 81: 157–92.
22.
TarasJMeloneCP. Hypertrophic neuropathy presenting with ulnar nerve compression: A case report. J Hand Surg [Am]1995; 20: 233–4.
23.
BöckerDKSchönbergFGullottaF. Localized hypertrophic neuropathy: A rare, clinically almost unknown syndrome. Clin Neuropathol1984; 3: 228–30.
