Demodex folliculorum: a parasite infection mimicking skin cancer.

incidence of facial nerve palsy is relatively high following parotid surgery, with the rates of transient and permanent palsy being reported as high as 65% and 7% respectively. The initial branching arrangement we have shown may have implications for parotid surgery as the surgeon would need to be aware of the presence of six early branches. In particular, vigilance of the location of Branch I, occurring very proximally along the FNT, would be required when the FNT is being traced by anterograde dissection into the gland. In conclusion we present a novel variant of the branching pattern of the facial nerve trunk with six initial branches which emerge immediately within the parotid gland. This potential arrangement must be born in mind when performing surgery on the parotid gland in order to minimise risk of postoperative facial nerve palsy.