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[Clinical investigation of transcranial magnetic stimulation of the facial nerve--an early prognostic diagnosis of patients with peripheral facial palsy and the facial nerve magnetic stimulation site].

To obtain an early prognostic diagnosis of patients with peripheral facial palsy, a magnetic stimulator (Dantec Mag 2) was used to directly stimulate the intracranial portion of the facial nerve in 15 normal subjects and 108 patients with peripheral facial palsy. In normal subjects and patients with facial palsy, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) of the orbicularis oris muscle elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were compared with CMAPs elicited by electrical stimulation at a peripheral site of the stylomastoid foramen. This technique is similar to electroneurography (ENoG) and is regularly used in our department. In normal subjects, the latency of magnetically evoked CMAPs was longer (1.0ms, SD 0.39ms) than that of CMAPs evoked by electrical stimulation. There were two categories of patients; the first group consisted of patients who visited our hospital within 2 weeks after palsy onset with a record of electrically evoked CMAPs (ENoG) and magnetically evoked CMAPs, the second group consisted of all others. The first group was then divided into four subgroups based on minimal ENoG values obtained within 2 weeks after the onset of palsy. In patients, ENoG values declined until the seventh day after palsy onset, and then plateaued. However, the amplitude ratio of magnetically evoked CMAPs between the affected side and normal side showed no tendency to deline until the seventh day after palsy onset. Thus, whether magnetically evoked CMAPs could be recorded must be discussed in relation to the prognosis of facial palsy. The patients in whom magnetically evoked CMAPs could be recorded within the seven days after the onset of palsy were classified into a group in which the minimal ENoG value was greater than 20%. These patients recovered almost 2 months after the onset of palsy, and were significantly better than the recovery rates of those patients in whom magnetically evoked CMAPs could not be recorded. The site at which the facial nerve is magnetically stimulated remains controversial. In patients with peripheral facial palsy, recovery of the stapedial reflex, blink reflex and magnetically evoked CMAPs were examined to investigate the site of magnetic stimulation. From the clinical perspective, the facial nerve is thought to be magnetically stimulated near the meatal foramen that Fisch reported the site of damage in Bell's palsy. This stimulation site was almost the same point as that calculated from the mean latency difference between magnetically evoked CMAPs and ENoG in normal controls.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of the intratemporal facial nerve in idiopathic peripheral facial palsy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of facial nerve involvement with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) in patients with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP), and to discuss the localization and the pattern of enhancement. A total of 13 patients (9 female, 4 male) with IFPF were included in this study. Topographic tests and electromyography (EMG) were performed, and MRI was taken. Ten subjects whose cranial MRIs were taken for nonorganic pathology served as the control group. Twelve of 13 paralytic facial nerves had enhancement on postcontrast images. Two facial nerves of the control group demonstrated enhancement. We found a correlation between the enhancement of the facial nerve and the time for recovery. The average time from the onset of facial palsy to the recovery in patients with enhancement was 14 weeks, whereas it was 6 weeks in patient with no enhancement. Finally, all patients had complete recovery of the facial nerve function. We concluded that contrast enhancement of the paralytic facial nerve can be a radiological sign of a neural inflammation and may indicate a prolonged recovery.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of facial nerve neuromas.

Facial nerve neuromas are uncommon tumors often confused with other tumors of the temporal bone and cerebellopontine angle. Radiologically, it may be impossible to differentiate an intracanalicular facial nerve neuroma from an acoustic neuroma. We present three case reports of facial nerve neuromas arising within the internal auditory canal to show the important magnetic resonance imaging features of these tumors. One tumor extended into the cerebellopontine angle, middle cranial fossa, and middle ear. Another filled the internal auditory canal and extended through the cerebellopontine angle to the brain stem. The third occurred in a patient who had neurofibromatosis as well as numerous other intracranial tumors. We feel that gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging provides the most useful information in the preoperative assessment of this disorder.

Adolescent↗

Pathological features of the facial nerve in patients with facial palsy of varying aetiology. Light and electron microscopic study.

Facial nerve specimens obtained during reinnervation surgery from 31 patients with facial palsy of varying aetiology were studied. In patients who had a facial palsy after attenuation during acoustic schwannoma removal the facial nerve had normal populations of myelinated nerve fibres in the sensory zone but their numbers and sizes were severely reduced and fibrosis was increased in the motor zone. The latter also had large numbers of endoneurial tubes with thin unmyelinated axons. When the facial nerve had been severed in tumour removal, it had practically no remaining nerve fibres. In three out of four patients with middle ear cholesteatoma, the distal facial nerve stump showed severe fibrosis. In patients with iatrogenic trauma and skull fracture, the distal stump usually showed few myelinated nerve fibres, endoneurial tubes with thin unmyelinated fibres and increased fibrosis. The pathological changes observed indicate that in all cases the motor fibres distal to the lesion have undergone Wallerian degeneration and demyelination and in most a subsequent partial regeneration. However, the regeneration remained incomplete. The distal stump of the facial nerve with numerous endoneurial tubes in most cases of the material presented appear to provide favourable structural preconditions for reinnervation surgery.

Cholesteatoma↗

[Diagnostics of diseases and the function of the facial nerve].

The facial nerve has a complicated course from the brainstem to the periphery. It not only contains motor, but also secretory, sensory, and sensitive fibres. Thus, the functional measure of symptoms can be multi-faceted. The nerve is not directly accessible over an extensive distance because of its long course through the temporal bone. Therefore, diagnostics of nerve function and the differential diagnostics of its diseases could be a great challenge for the otolaryngologist. In this review, the most important methods for clinical examination, electrodiagnostics, and modern imaging techniques are critically surveyed. In addition, the significance of facial nerve monitoring for surgery in the cerebello-pontine angle, parotid surgery, and ear surgery is presented.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Facial nerve function after cerebellopontine angle surgery and prognostic value of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring: a critical evaluation.

PURPOSE: Facial nerve monitoring is often used to predict postoperative facial function after acoustic neuroma tumor removal. In this study, three methods of predicting facial nerve function were compared. These methods used various parameters of the evoked electromyographic monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients who underwent surgery for acoustic neuroma were retrospectively reviewed. Amplitude of ongoing electromyographic activity, stimulation current thresholds, and the amplitude of evoked response were analyzed. The predictive value of the three methods was compared with actual postoperative facial nerve function. RESULTS: One method predicted the final postoperative facial function in 90% of the patients, one method in 84%, and the final method failed to predict the final VIIth nerve function in patients with current stimulation thresholds greater than 0.05 mA. CONCLUSION: Analysis of prognostic value showed that one of the three studied proved superior in predicting facial nerve function.

Adult↗

High-resolution magnetic resonance of the extracranial facial nerve and parotid duct: demonstration of the branches of the intraparotid facial nerve and its relation to parotid tumours by MRI with a surface coil.

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of high-resolution MR imaging in the evaluation of the extracranial facial nerve, compared with surgical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with benign parotid tumours were studied on a 1.5-T MR system with a 3 in circular surface coil. High-resolution T1-weighted spin-echo, T2-weighted fast spin-echo, and three-dimensional gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (GRASS) images were obtained in the axial planes. Oblique reformatted images were generated. Tumours, parotid ducts and facial nerves were identified on these images. The relationship of the tumours to the facial nerves was confirmed at surgery. RESULTS: Facial nerves appeared as linear structures of low intensity on all pulse sequences. The main trunks and cervicofacial and temporofacial divisions of the facial nerves were identified in 100%, 84.1% and 53.8% of GRASS images, respectively. Parotid ducts appeared as structures of low intensity on T1-weighted (66.6%) and GRASS images (81.8%), and as structures of very high intensity on T2-weighted images (91.7%). The relationships of the tumours to the facial nerves were correctly diagnosed in 11 (91.7%) of 12 cases. CONCLUSION: High-resolution MR imaging depicts the extracranial facial nerve and the parotid duct, and is useful for preoperative evaluation of parotid gland tumours.

Adult↗

Comparative study of evoked electromyography and facial nerve latency test in the prognosis of idiopathic facial nerve palsy in childhood.

We report our results from the application of evoked electromyography (EEMG) and facial nerve latency testing (FNLT) in 30 children aged 4-14 years with idiopathic facial palsy. Our aim was to define the value of these tests as prognostic tools in Bell's palsy. From the EEMG results we ascertained that, when the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential varied between 51% and 95% of the normal value, the neuronal damage is slight (neurapraxia). When the percentage value of muscle response decreases, the prognosis is worse. The results of the FNLT showed that, when the latency is within normal limits, the damage to the nerve is slight (neurapraxia). If the latency is prolonged, the prognosis is worse. Evaluation of our results and comparison with the index of facial nerve functional recovery showed that those two tests have a high percentage of correctness (100% for the EEMG and 96.7% for the FNLT) and a low percentage of error. We conclude that these tests are excellent for predicting the outcome of facial nerve palsy in childhood and we suggest that young patents undergo both so that the determination of the lesion may be as correct as possible.

Adolescent↗

[Application of facial nerve ENoG and MEP in the diagnosis and prognosis of facial nerve palsy].

Electroneurography (ENoG), an objective electrophysiologic measurement of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), is used to assess the integrity of a peripheral motor nerve. This method has been used for many years. In our study using an electrophysiologic instrument (Medelec MS6), the stimulating electrode was placed over the facial nerve anterior to the tip of the mastoid process and was manipulated to obtain the maximum CMAPs amplitude from the frontal muscle. With 30 normal subjects and 20 patients with facial nerve palsy, the results showed that the latencies and amplitudes were different between the two groups. Motor evoked potential (MEP) is a new method. Ipsilateral facial muscles are excited by magnetic stimulation over the scalp when the coil is placed over the parieto-occipital region. Using a magnetic stimulator and EMG instrument (1500C4 DISA), CMAPs from the orbicularis oris and frontal muscle were measured. In 30 normal subjects, the CMAPs were similar in form but of longer latency than those obtained with electrical stimulation (ENoG). In 20 patients with lateral facial nerve palsy due to Bell's palsy, Hunt's syndrome or trauma, the latencies on the lesion sides were apparently longer and the amplitudes much lower than in the normals. Our studies suggest that magnetic stimulation will detect facial nerves in the region inside the temporal bone where they cannot be touched by electrical stimulation from in front of mastoid process. The use of both ENoG and MEP methods together allows for accurate measurement of proximal facial nerve conduction and also provides some quantitative measurement: thus, we can detect conduction block or axonal degeneration early.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Facial nerve neuroma.

Facial nerve neuromas are an unusual cause of facial nerve dysfunction and hearing loss. As clinical manifestations do not accurately reflect tumor extent, imaging techniques can greatly assist the clinician in appropriate diagnostic evaluation and management.

Adult↗

[Facial nerve decompression].

Facial nerve palsy is usually managed conservatively, but in some cases may require surgical intervention. In cases in which the continuity of the nerve is not disrupted, decompression is the procedure of choice. No reports were found in the literature addressing this group separately. We report the results of 33 facial nerve decompressions conducted in the Sheba Medical Center through the years 1985-2002. Fifteen of our patients were operated on using the middle cranial fossa approach, 12 underwent mastoidectomy and 6 were treated using the combined middle cranial fossa mastoidectomy approach. Twenty-four (72.7%) underwent surgery for temporal bone fracture and the rest (27.3%) due to other reasons (iatrogenic injury, infection). The postoperative results were determined using the House-Brackmann (HB) scale. Patients who were operated on more than 30 days after complete palsy achieved better results than those operated on earlier than 30 days. The total average HB score was 3.2. The followup results are significantly worse in patients after less than 3 months, as compared to those with 3 to 12 months followup. On the basis of our experience, facial nerve decompression achieves good functional results. We found no advantage in early vs. late intervention with regard to results. The final results can be determined only a year after surgery.

Bell Palsy↗

Changes of the cell bodies in the facial nucleus after facial nerve block.

Facial nerve blocks were produced in four monkeys by insertion of a needle into the facial nerve trunk. The sequential changes of nerve cells in the facial nucleus were investigated 4 days, and 2 and 7 months later. Although the facial paralysis recovered in 2 months, considerable changes of cell bodies in the facial nucleus were still obvious which recovered completely only after 7 months. It is postulated that an optimum discharge is generated by those nerve cells in the facial nucleus during the recovery period which in clinical practice could result in 6 months of clinical remission from facial spasm.

Animals↗

Representation of the main branches of the facial nerve within the facial nucleus of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata).

The facial nucleus of the Japanese monkey was divided cytoarchitectonically into the ventral, medial, intermediate, dorsal and lateral divisions. When horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was applied to the inferior labial, cervical or posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve, HRP-labeled neurons were seen in the lateral, ventral or medial division of the facial nucleus, respectively. After applying HRP to the anterior auricular-zygomatico-orbital branch, labeled neurons were observed mainly in the intermediate and dorsal divisions. HRP applied to the superior labial branch labeled neurons within the dorsal and lateral divisions.

Animals↗

Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis: a review of forty cases caused by facial nerve injuries in the posterior fossa.

Hypoglossal-facial anastomosis has been our procedure of choice in the repair of the permanently injured facial nerve in the cerebellopontine cistern, when the nerve cannot be primarily repaired. Total failures are few and complications are rare. Most results are good to excellent, if assessment is based upon realistic expectations. These include: 1. normal facial symmetry in repose, 2. good midface voluntary motion, 3. no reflex or emotional facial movement, 4. some synkinesis and donor-injected mass facial movement, and 5. surprisingly little functional loss from hypoglossal paralysis. Our experience indicates better results in younger patients and in those repairs completed shortly after injury. These findings correlate well with the experience gained in peripheral nerve repair in the extremities. There appears to be no absolute time period between injury and repair beyond which this anastomosis is definitely contraindicated. Finally, this procedure does not negate adjunctive plastic surgical procedures. Most of our patients have had tarsorrhaphy or physiologic protection of the eye, but few have had corrective cosmetic surgical procedures until the past few years. We have never used cervical sympathectomy to reduce the size of the palpebral fissure. Better surgical procedures to correct both extracranial and intratemporal facial nerve injuries have significantly reduced the indication for anatomosis procedures. Additionally, over the past two decades, the improved diagnostic and surgical techniques for posterior fossa tumors have considerably reduced the incidence of facial paralysis. As these trends continue, the number of patients requiring nerve anastomosis for facial paralysis will continue to decline and what was once the only surgical procedure to repair the paralyzed face will become a rare operation.

Adult↗

Dural carotid-cavernous sinus vascular malformation with facial nerve paresis.

Facial nerve paresis is rarely seen in dural cavernous sinus arteriovenous malformations or carotid-cavernous sinus fistulae. A patient with an otherwise typical presentation of a spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus malformation was found to have ipsilateral infranuclear facial nerve paresis. Angiography revealed a dural arteriovenous malformation with early petrosal sinus filling. Possible mechanisms for the paresis include compression of the facial nerve by increased venous pressure and "stealing" of the arterial supply by the malformation.

Aged↗

Facial nerve pathology in leprosy: searching for the proximal extent of the lesion in facial nerve biopsies.

A light and electron microscope study was made of resin embedded facial nerves in three cases of leprosy involving the facial nerve. The patients had irreversible facial nerve palsies and had requested facial reconstruction. No consistent pattern of nerve fibre damage was found. In one case the temporozygomatic was affected, but the cervical branch was normal, suggesting the damage begins distally. In two cases the loss of nerve fibres in the trunk and all branches was similar, and is likely to emanate from damage at a more proximal site. The presence of increased numbers of unmyelinated axons, often in clusters, is evidence of regeneration. These axons probably have the potential to develop into functional myelinated fibres provided that they can innervate a viable distal target such as a muscle graft. These regenerating axons are distal to the stylomastoid foramen suggesting that the most proximal level of involvement of the facial nerve could be intracranial. The finding of a more proximal level of nerve involvement, implies that the mis-reinnervation seen in partially recovered facial nerve palsies in leprosy, could be due to some regenerating axons being mis-directed at the level of the main trunk bifurcation.

Aged↗