A New Electroneurography Method in Facial Palsy

Abstract

Objective: We compared electroneurography (ENoG) performed in patients with facial palsy using the new midline method and standard method in terms of the relationship between the ENoG value and clinical course. We also established a new criterion with the midline method for predicting prognosis in facial palsy using the ENoG value. Method: ENoG was performed using the midline method, in which the recording electrodes were placed on the midline of the face, and the standard method, which has been used universally. The relationship between the ENoG values and the period to full recovery from the facial palsy was compared. Results: Sixty-four patients with facial palsy were enrolled. The midline method had a stronger negative correlation in the relationship between the ENoG value and period to full recovery from palsy than the standard method. We also proposed a new ENoG value-based criterion for prognostic diagnosis using the midline method: 1) ENoG value of > 60% predicts complete recovery from the palsy within 2 months; 2) ENoG value of > 10% and < 60% predicts recovery from the palsy within 6 months; and 3) ENoG value of <10% forecasts 50% of patients cannot reach complete recovery. Conclusion: The novel midline ENoG method we proposed here has advantages over the standard method in terms of ease of electrode setting, and the ENoG value may be a useful prognostic factor.