Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the incidence of mastoid effusion on temporal bone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with Bell’s palsy (BP) and Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS), and evaluate the usefulness of mastoid effusion in early differential diagnosis between BP and RHS. The incidence of mastoid effusion on 3.0 T—temporal bone MRI, which was conducted within 10 days after the onset of acute facial nerve palsy, was compared between 131 patients with BP and 33 patients with RHS. Findings of mastoid cavity on temporal bone MRI were classified into three groups as normal mastoid, mastoid effusion, and sclerotic change, and the incidence of ipsilesional mastoid effusion was significantly higher in RHS than BP (P < 0.001). Tympanic membrane was normal in 7 of 14 RHS patients with mastoid effusion, and injected without middle ear effusion in 7 patients. This study highlights significantly higher incidence of ipsilesional mastoid effusion in RHS than BP, and suggests that the presence of mastoid effusion may provide additional information for differential diagnosis between RHS and BP.
Highlights
Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most common type of acute peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) with an annual incidence of 20–30 per 100,000 persons[1], and Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) accounts for approximately 10% of acute FNP with an annual incidence of 5 per 100,000 p opulation[2]
We accidentally discovered mastoid effusion on the ipsilesional side of FNP in one patient with RHS, and attempted to retrospectively investigate if presence of mastoid effusion in temporal bone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide additional information for differential diagnosis between RHS and BP
Patients with acute FNP with otalgia and vesicular skin eruption were diagnosed with RHS, and those with no other known cause of FNP were diagnosed with BP
Summary
Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most common type of acute peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) with an annual incidence of 20–30 per 100,000 persons[1], and Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) accounts for approximately 10% of acute FNP with an annual incidence of 5 per 100,000 p opulation[2]. Temporal bone MRI is helpful for the differential diagnosis between BP and RHS, facilitating early diagnosis of RHS and supporting rapid initiation of combination therapy with systemic steroids and antiviral a gents[20]. We accidentally discovered mastoid effusion on the ipsilesional side of FNP in one patient with RHS, and attempted to retrospectively investigate if presence of mastoid effusion in temporal bone MRI may provide additional information for differential diagnosis between RHS and BP. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of mastoid effusion on temporal bone MRI in patients with BP and RHS, and evaluate the usefulness of mastoid effusion in differential diagnosis between BP and RHS. Characteristics Male: female Mean age (range) Affected side (Right : Left) From onset of FNP to MRI House-Brackmann grade No of patients with hearing loss No of patients with vertigo
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
