Am a 77 yr old male who started with small area of numbness on left cheek. Intial diagnosis as it progressed was Bells Palsy. Had MRI in 7/01 neg. Numbness progressed saw neurologist 3/02. MRI, CAT scan all neg. Progressed saw neuro 11/02 MRI-MRA all neg. Progressed left ear, head, eye muscle, gum and tongue. 8/04 MRI-MRA, CAT all neg. 10/04 saw neurologist at Shands, nerve and sinus scan w/dye. Differental diag. squamus cell cancer infiltrating nerves refered to ENT. 10/4 saw ENT said might be fat nerve did eye socket bio of 5th nerve - neg. 10/5 saw new neurologist did pet scan which showed small light area at base of brain no firm diog so another MRI and CAT was done W and W/0 contrast. Results as folows: "no discreet evidence of skull base destruction or mass is seen. Enhancement of the left facial nerve as well as the genu of the left facial nerve. Exact etiology of this finding is questioned although facial nerve neuritis cannot be excluded. Dolichoectasia of the vertebral artery."
This has been going on for four years involving CN7 & 5 now is in back of neck on left with the tingling, itching, etc. Nothing in lymph nodes. Nothing in skull bone. Pet Scan of body shows no primary. All say I am a puzzle. Had face lift to correct droop,
gold weight in eye to help close. Surgery for eyelid droop.