顔面神経・聴神経の機能解剖と関連疾患

Functional Anatomy and Related Disorders of the Facial and Auditory Nerves

顔面神経や聴神経（蝸牛神経・前庭神経）の障害は脳神経内科・耳鼻咽喉科・脳神経外科と複数の科と関連が深く，それぞれの科の豊富な知識を網羅することは容易ではない。そこで，本論では，顔面神経・聴神経の神経伝導路・その障害と症状・検査方法・原因疾患から最近のトピックに関してできるだけ幅広く簡潔に述べ，複数の診療科のカバーする領域を効率的に把握することで，読者の日常診療の一助となればと思い執筆した。また，顔面神経や聴神経の障害をきたし得る小脳橋角部の腫瘍性病変［孤発性前庭神経鞘腫と神経線維腫症2型（NF2-related schwannomatosis），髄膜腫，類表皮囊腫など］に関しても焦点を当てた。顔面神経・聴神経ともに日常生活のQOLと密接に関わる機能を有するため，その障害の原因を効率よくつきとめ，改善に向けた戦略を迅速に構築することが重要である。

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the facial and auditory nerves are managed by medical doctors across several departments, including Neurology, Otolaryngology, and Neurosurgery. It is not easy to comprehensively cover the knowledge base of each department. Therefore, this article provides a broad description of the facial and auditory nerves, including nerve conduction pathways, associated disorders and symptoms, examination methods, causative diseases, and recent topics. We also focus on neoplastic lesions of the cerebellopontine angle that can cause palsy of the facial and auditory nerves, including vestibular schwannomas, NF2-related schwannomatosis, meningioma, and epidermoid cyst. Because facial and auditory nerve functions are closely related to quality of life, it is important to efficiently identify the cause of impairment and rapidly develop an appropriate strategy for improvement.