How Is A Zygomatic Arch Tumor Diagnosed and Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was surfing the web to check about my illness. After spending a lot of time, I somehow got lucky to find this article on your website. I believe I have the same problem. (Zygomatic Bone Arch Tumor). I have the same little bony bump on my left side of the face exactly as shown in the xray on your webpage.

Since, I don’t live in the country where you live, So unfortunately I wont be able to get treatment from you. But I have some questions, which I believe you could answer to in order to help me.

My questions are as follows:

1. Does this surgery leave prominent scars on face? 

2. If yes, Can these scar be made go away? 

3. Does this surgery help in making the face asymmetrical to symmetrical?

I hope to get a good and quick responce from you. Your cooperation will be highly appreciated.

A: In answer to your Zygomatic Arch Tumor questions:

1) Depending upon the location of the bony tumor on the arch would determine the method of surgical access. Since I have done several cases if this type of bony tumor I am not certain where in the arch it is located in your case. But as a general rule surgical access is done intraorally so there is no external facial scar.

2) The best way to make the diagnosis is with a 3D CT scan which I assume you have since you appear to know were the bony tumor is located.

3) If the bony tumor is a source of facial asymmetry then its removal will help to improve facial symmetry.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana