Duration Of Facial Paralysis Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of two anastomosis techniques in the treatment of facial nerve defects

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of two anastomosis techniques in repairing facial nerve defects. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients who underwent facial nerve anastomosis（direct or rerouting） for facial nerve defects in our department from January 2012 to December 2021. Among them, 21 were male and 9 were female, with an average age of（37.53±11.33） years, all with unilateral onset. Preoperative House-Brackmann（H-B） facial nerve function grades were Ⅳ in 2 cases, Ⅴ in 9 cases, and Ⅵin 19 cases. The duration of facial paralysis before surgery was within 6 months in 21 cases, 6-12 months in 6 cases, and over 1 year in 3 cases. The causes of facial paralysis included 14 cases of cholesteatoma, 6 cases of facial neurioma, 6 cases of trauma, and 4 cases of middle ear surgery injury. Surgical approaches included 9 cases of the middle cranial fossa approach, 8 cases of labyrinthine-otic approach, 7 cases of mastoid-epitympanum approach, and 6 cases of retroauricular lateral neck approach. Results:All patients were followed up for more than 2 years. The direct anastomosis was performed in 10 cases: 6 cases with defects located in the extratemporal segment and 4 cases in the tympanic segment. Rerouting anastomosis was performed in 20 cases: 11 cases with defects located in the labyrinthine-geniculate ganglion, 4 cases from the internal auditory canal to the geniculate ganglion, 3 cases in the internal auditory canal, and 2 cases in the horizontal-pyramid segment. Postoperative H-B facial nerve grades were Ⅱ in 2 cases, Ⅲ in 20 cases, and Ⅳ in 8 cases, with 73.3%（22/30） of patients achieving H-B grade Ⅲ or better. Conclusion:Both direct and rerouting anastomosis techniques can effectively repair facial nerve defects, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two techniques. Most patients can achieve H-B grade Ⅲ or better facial nerve function recovery. Preoperative facial nerve function and duration of facial paralysis are the main prognostic factors affecting the outcome of facial nerve anastomosis.

Factors influencing medical expenditures in patients with unresolved facial palsy and pharmacoeconomic analysis of upper eyelid lid loading with gold and platinum weights compared to tarsorrhaphy

There are no standards in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to eye care in incomplete eyelid closure due to unresolved facial palsy (FP). Loading of the upper eyelid (UELL) with gold weights (GWs) or platinum chains (PCs) is a highly effective procedure for the correction of lagophthalmos. Despite this, the procedure is used infrequently in our country because of the relatively high price of the implant and the lack of reimbursement. The aim of this research was to assess the factors influencing medical expenditures in this group of patients and to analyze utility costs for the UELL procedure with the use of GW and PC compared to tarsorrhaphy.Material and methods The costs of 88 surgical procedures (40 GWs, 11 PCs and 37 tarsorrhaphies) and medical expenditures before and after surgery were calculated based on reporting of materials, staff salaries and the SF-36 questionnaire. Distribution quartiles of the cost per QALY measure (dependent variable) was assessed via an ordered logistic regression model with eight explanatory variables.Results The calculated total cost of the surgery was US$209 for tarsorrhaphy, US$758 for UELL with a GW and US$1,676 for UELL with a PC. Bootstrapped costs per QALY values (CUI) in 88% of cases were below the US$100,000 cutoff. Etiology and duration of facial palsy and presence of Bell’s phenomenon were factors that significantly influenced the CUI. Patient gender and age, history of previous eyelid surgery, and presence of corneal sensation were found to be not significant (p > 0.1). Calculated ICER for GW was US$1,241.74/1QALY and ICER for PC was US$13,181.05/1QALY compared to tarsorrhaphy.Conclusions Eye protection in patients with FP should be a crucial element of health policy. Findings suggest UELL procedure with a GW or a PC to be a cost-effective procedure with GW being the most cost-effective.

Зависимость клинических проявлений паралитического лагофтальма от уровня и давности поражения лицевого нерва

The path of the facial nerve is associated with multiple nerves, bones and soft tissues, including n. trigeminus, n. intermedius, petrosal bone and parotid gland. Due to this fact, facial palsy results not only in lagophthalmos but also in dysfunction of tear production and even vision lost in some cases. The aim of the study is to compare clinical signs of lagophthalmos in patients with various levels and duration of facial palsy. We analyzed 120 cases of lagophthalmos in patients aged 5–90 y.o. with duration of facial palsy from 2 month to 90 years. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the level of nerve damage: 1 – in the cerebral part of the nerve, 2 – in petrosal bone, 3 – in the area of parotid gland, and 4 – indefinite. The light forms of keratopathy were dominant in all of the groups (72.5 %). There was a very weak correlation between the duration of facial palsy and margin to the low limb distance (r = 0.190; p < 0.05). The width of the eye fissure was significantly different between 1st and 3rd groups (p = 0.019), 1st and 4th groups (p = 0.042), 2nd и 3rd (p = 0.038), 2nd and 4th (p = 0.043). Although the results of Schirmer 1 tests was significantly different only between 1st and 3rd groups (p < 0.001). Severity of clinical signs in paralytic lagophthalmos depends in most on the level of facial nerve damage and can be due to concurrent damage of n. trigeminus. The duration of the facial palsy and involvement of n. intermedius do not play any significant role. Keywords: n. facialis, n. trigeminus, n. intermedius, neurotrophic keratopathy, exposure keratopathy, exposure keratitis

Additional Steroid Therapy for Delayed Facial Palsy in Miller Fisher Syndrome.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Delayed facial palsy (DFP) is a symptom that occurs after other neurological symptoms begin to recover within four weeks from the onset of MFS. As there have been few detailed reports about DFP in MFS cases treated with additional immunotherapy, we investigated three cases of DFP in MFS treated with additional steroid therapies. The duration of facial palsy in our cases was 12-24 days. No severe adverse effects were observed. Although adverse side effects should be carefully monitored, additional steroid therapy might be a treatment option for MFS-DFP.

Differential diagnosis and management of hemangioma at geniculate ganglion

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, treatments and prognosis of facial nerve hemangioma and schwannoma at genicular ganglion, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatments of facial nerve tumor at genicular ganglion. Methods: Clinical data of 13 patients with facial nerve tumors at genicular ganglion confirmed by postoperative pathology in the Ninth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from March 2018 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including seven cases of hemangioma and six cases of schwannoma. There were eight males and five females. Their ages ranged from 20 to 65, with an average age of 40. The course of disease ranged from 3 to 118 months, with an average of 52 months. All the patients underwent preoperative HRCT of the temporal bone and facial nerve dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE) MRI examinations. All the patients had detailed surgical procedures and at least one-year postoperative follow-up. Results: On HRCT of the temporal bone, (4/7) hemangioma at geniculate ganglion showed characteristic honeycomb appearance, while 6/6 schwannoma and 3/7 hemangiomas showed expansive bone changes. On DCE-MRI, geniculate ganglion hemangioma (7/7) showed characteristic "point-to-surface" enhancement, and schwannoma (6/6) showed characteristic "face-to-surface" enhancement. For five hemangioma-patients with HB-Ⅱ-Ⅳ before surgery, the facial nerve anatomy was completely preserved through transcanal endoscopic approach(TEA), and the facial nerve function improved one year after surgery (two cases of HB-I, two cases of HB-Ⅱ, and one case of HB-Ⅲ). For two patients, with preoperative facial nerve function HB-Ⅴ-Ⅵ, since their tumors was inseparable from the nerves, they were performed with facial nerve anastomosis during the surgery, and the facial nerve function was improved to HB-Ⅳ level one year after surgery. For six patients with meningioma whose facial nerve function was greater than or equal to HB-Ⅲ, based on the preoperative hearing level, the involved segments, and duration of facial paralysis, three of them were conducted surgeries through middle cranial fossa approach, one by translabyrinthine approach, and one via mastoid approach. Two patients among them with complete facial paralysis over three years preoperatively were not performed facial nerve anastomosis after total resections of the tumors, and there was no improvement in facial nerve function one year after surgery. Three patients underwent facial nerve anastomosis after total tumor resections, and their facial nerve function was HB-Ⅲ in one patient, HB-Ⅳ in two patients one year after surgery. One patient (preoperative HB-Ⅲ) had a normal hearing level preoperatively, and the tumor involved the labyrinth segment. To protect the hearing, partial tumor was resected through the middle cranial fossa approach, and facial nerve function improved to HB-Ⅱ one year after surgery. Conclusions: Temporal bone HRCT combined with DCE-MRI are useful for the differential diagnosis of hemangioma and schwannoma at geniculate ganglion and provide references for preoperative clinical decision makings. It is extremely necessary to select the appropriate surgical approach based on the patient's hearing and involved segments. For geniculate ganglion hemangioma, early surgery can improve the possibilities of anatomical integrity of facial nerve, thereby improving facial nerve function postoperatively.TEA is a kind of surgical method worth consideration, with the characteristics of minimally invasive, favorable postoperative features, and so on. For schwannoma, one-stage functional reconstruction of the facial nerve is recommended during the resection of the tumors because of the inevitable damage to the anatomical integrity of the facial nerve.

Transconjunctival botulinum toxin injection into the lacrimal gland in crocodile tears syndrome.

Purpose:To determine the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin injection into the lacrimal gland as a symptomatic treatment of crocodile tear syndrome (CTS).Methods:Our study included six patients of unilateral gustatory hyper lacrimation following either an episode of facial paralysis or post trauma or any related surgery that posed a risk of damaging the facial nerve. Detailed history regarding previous trauma, duration of facial paralysis, previous significant surgery, and duration of steroid use following facial paralysis was noted. Schirmer’s test was done at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Patients’ consent was taken prior to treatment with botulinum toxin injection in the lacrimal gland. Repeat injection of 5 U botulinum toxin (type A) was administered into the lacrimal gland of all patients transconjunctivally within an interval of 1 week. All patients were followed up with Schirmer’s test at 6 weeks and 3 months. Any complications during treatment were recorded.Results:All six patients showed complete or partial disappearance of reflex lacrimation while chewing following botulinum injection measured by a significant reduction in Schirmer’s value. When comparing Schirmer test values before (27.8 ± 3.58 mm) and after (11.6 ± 2.28 mm) BTX-A injection, the differences observed (P = 0.002) were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Only two patients developed mild transitory ptosis. No other complications were notedConclusion:Transconjunctival botulinum toxin injection into the lacrimal gland is an effective and safe method to decrease reflex lacrimation during eating or chewing in CTS or gustatory hyper-lacrimation syndrome.

Analysis of Preoperative Factors Influencing Hypoglossal-facial ‘Side’-to-side Neurorrhaphy for Facial Paralysis after Excision of Acoustic Neuroma

ObjectiveHypoglossal nerve-facial nerve ‘side’-to-side neurorrhaphy is a new method for the treatment of potential incomplete facial paralysis after acoustic neuroma. However, there are differences in postoperative outcomes among patients. This study analysed preoperative factors that may influence the treatment outcomes of neurorrhaphy. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 53 patients who were treated by neurorrhaphy for facial paralysis after acoustic neuroma resection. After a one-year follow-up period, the patients were divided into two groups according to facial functional outcome: better recovery or ordinary recovery. We analysed the following factors: gender, age, tumour size, and characteristics, tumour adhesion to the facial nerve, the duration of facial paralysis (DFP) and F wave appearance prior to neurorrhaphy (F wave). ResultsUnivariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in DFP (P = 0.0002), tumour adhesion to the facial nerve (P = 0.0079) and F waves (P = 0.0048). Logistic regression analysis of these factors also showed statistical significance with P values of 0.042 for the DFP, 0.043 for F waves, and 0.031 for tumour adhesion to the facial nerve. ConclusionsTumour adhesion to the facial nerve, F waves appearance and DFP prior to neurorrhaphy are the predominant factors that influence treatment outcomes.

Importance of Reporting Duration of Facial Paralysis in Studies of Emotion and Well-Being-Reply.

Importance of Reporting Duration of Facial Paralysis in Studies of Emotion and Well-Being-Reply.

Hemihypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis for Facial Nerve Reanimation: Factors that may Influence the Outcome

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that may influence the results of hemihypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HHFA). The first 28 consecutive patients who underwent HHFA were analyzed. The facial palsy was related to surgically treated vestibular schwannoma (24), facial nerve schwannoma (1), petroclival meningioma (1), brain stem cavernoma (1) and in one case to purely radiosurgically treated vestibular schwannoma (1). The group included 4 patients with Neurofibromatosis type 2 and also four patients after failed radiosurgery. Duration of facial palsy before the procedure ranged from 1 to 21 months (mean 6.5 months) and was longer than 1 year in 6 patients. The procedure was performed in own modification which is a compilation of the technique described by Darrouzet with the longitudinal splitting technique. The clinical follow-up period was at least 1 year. In 26 out of 28 (93%) patients satisfactory outcome (III° House–Brackmann scale) of CN VII function was achieved. In two remaining patients (both with Neurofibromatosis type 2) facial function improved from paresis to IV° according to House – Brackmann Scale. Patient age, sex, initially treated pathology, previous radiosurgical treatment and time from CNVII injury to anastomosis had no influence on final results. HHFA is an effective modality for treatment of facial palsy with acceptable tongue denervation. Suboptimal results were observed only in NF2 group what might be related to difficulties in rehabilitation process due to common hearing problems or due to other cranial nerve deficits.

Facial nerve hemangiomas at geniculate ganglion: preservation of nerve integrity is correlated with duration of facial palsy

ObjectiveTo study preservation of nerve integrity in 16 cases with facial nerve hemangiomas at geniculate ganglion (GG). Methods16 cases with facial nerve hemangiomas at GG, who presented with facial palsy, were included in the study. Preservation of nerve integrity was attempted by the same surgeon during surgical removal, and those who failed to preserve nerve integrity underwent nerve grafting. The patients were divided into longer duration group (>12months) and shorter duration group (≤12months) according to duration of facial palsy, and preservation of nerve integrity in the couple of groups was compared. ResultsNerve integrity was preserved in 2 of 10 cases (20%) among longer duration group, while it was preserved in 5 of 6 cases (83.3%) among shorter duration group (p<0.05). All the cases with nerve integrity preserved recovered to grade III or better, among which 3 cases recovered to grade I or grade II, while only 3 of 9 cases (33.3%) with nerve grafting recovered to grade III at the best. ConclusionsPreservation of nerve integrity was correlated with duration of facial palsy in cases with hemangiomas at GG. Patients with nerve integrity preserved showed better outcomes of facial nerve.

The best candidates for nerve-sparing stripping surgery for facial nerve schwannoma.

Clinical decision making for facial nerve schwannoma is particularly complicated in patients with good facial nerve function; however, an early nerve-sparing tumor resection stripping technique minimizes facial deficits associated with treatment. The present study characterized the optimal candidate for this nerve-sparing surgical strategy in patients with good facial function. Retrospective study. Nerve-sparing stripping surgery was performed on 28 patients with facial nerve schwannoma. The House-Brackmann grading system was used to assess pre- and postoperative facial function. We retrospectively analyzed pre- and postoperative facial function, duration of facial palsy, tumor size, and location and number of involved segments. The data were analyzed using Fisher exact test and independent t tests. Of the 28 patients, 18 successfully underwent stripping surgery and 16 had a favorable outcome. Favorable postoperative facial function was associated with good preoperative facial function (House-Brackmann grade [HBG] ≤II); small, localized tumors; and tumors located in the geniculate ganglion and/or its proximal portion. Patients with facial nerve schwannoma who have good preoperative facial function (HBG ≤2), tumor located in the proximal portion of the geniculate ganglion, and small tumors (<2 cm) involving one or two facial nerve segments can be the best candidates for nerve-sparing stripping surgery. 4

Management of Complex Cases of Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma

In a retrospective analysis of a quaternary referral neuro-otologic private practice, we identify complex cases of petrous bone cholesteatoma (i.e., cases with encasement of vital structures such as the internal carotid artery, jugular bulb, and sigmoid sinus, with further extension to the clivus, sphenoid sinus, or rhinopharynx), review surgical approaches and techniques of management of vital structures, and propose the ideal surgical management. We performed a retrospective case study of 130 cases of petrous bone cholesteatoma submitted to surgery between 1979 and 2009 to identify the complex cases and their classification, approach used, outcomes, and recurrences. Of 130 cases. 13 were complex. Facial palsy was the presenting feature in 11 cases, 7 of which presented with grade VI palsy. A long duration of facial palsy (more than 3 years) was seen in 5 cases. Clival involvement was seen in 6 cases; 1 case extended to the sphenoid sinus, and 1 to the rhinopharynx. The internal carotid artery was encased in 11 cases in the vertical and the horizontal parts. The jugular bulb was involved in 7 cases. Modified transcochlear approaches or infratemporal fossa approaches were used in all cases. There were no recurrences. Classification is fundamental to choosing the right surgical approach. Transotic and modified transcochlear approaches hold the key to treating complex cases. Infratemporal fossa approach type B has to be used for extension into the clivus, sphenoid sinus, or rhinopharynx. Internal carotid artery, jugular bulb, and sigmoid sinus involvement should be identified before operation.

IMPROVED PRESERVATION OF FACIAL NERVE IN TRANSTEMPORAL APPROACHES TO THE SKULL BASE

Surgery of the skull base has evolved over the past 100 years. The importance of combined otorhinological and neurosurgical approach in the management of lesions of the skull base has been realised in recent years. Through this strategy, lesions which were once thought unresectable are being removed completely with reduction in mortality. However, the morbidity due to facial palsy in lateral skull base surgery is common. To avoid this, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring was introduced in the late 70's and has been refined to such a point that it is now possible to safely predict the recovery of the temporary facial paralysis after lateral skull base surgery. The present study which was carried out in the Armed Forces for the first time has evaluated this by comparing 5 patients who underwent this surgery without intraoperative facial nerve monitoring with 5 patients who were operated with intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. The results have proved the efficacy of this tool in reducing the severity and duration of facial palsy after this surgery.

Free split and segmental latissimus dorsi muscle transfer in one stage for facial reanimation.

The authors report the experience in facial reanimation using free innervated split and segmental latissimus dorsi muscle flap one-stage transfer in 86 patients with longstanding facial palsy. The segmental latissimus dorsi was taken from the distal part of the muscle so that the muscle flap had an ultra-long neurovascular pedicle of 13 to 17.5 cm in length. The muscle flap was made thinner by splitting the segmental muscle. The split segmental muscle flap was transferred to the paralyzed side of the face with its ultra-long neurovascular pedicle passing through a tunnel in the upper lip to the normal side of the face. The neurovascular pedicle of the muscle flap was anastomosed with the facial nerve, artery, and veins, respectively, on the normal side of the face. The operation was designed without the cross-facial nerve graft stage. From 1986 to October of 1997, 86 patients with long-standing facial paralysis were treated in our department. The duration of facial palsy in this series ranged from 1.5 to 51 years. A satisfactory result was obtained in 80 cases, evaluated at 8 months to 2 years postoperatively. The expression movement of the soft tissues of the face can be seen not only over transferred muscle but also on the paralyzed muscle covered by the splitting muscle flap. It is supposed that this is the result of muscle-muscle neurolization. Study of 66 specimens of latissimus dorsi muscle in the cadavers is discussed.

Faciohypoglossal Anastomosis: Does the Morphology of the Facial Nerve Affect the Functional Result?

We report the results of a histological study of facial nerve specimens obtained at the time of faciohypoglossal anastomosis. We examined sections from 24 patients using light and electron microscopy in order to determine the extent of the degenerative process with time and its relationship to the functional results of the anastomosis. We graded the histological features associated with degeneration, regeneration, and fibrosis on an ordered nominal scale from 0 to 3 and correlated them with duration of facial palsy and postoperative facial function. There was no histological evidence of increasing collagenosis or fibrosis with duration of facial palsy, and endoneural fibrosis was a very infrequent finding. There was no evidence that the relative numbers of endoneural fibrocytes or the degree of collagenosis had any bearing on the functional result. The presence of large numbers of endoneural tubes, containing nonmyelinated axons, showed a positive correlation with the postoperative facial function, whereas the presence of active axon degeneration showed a negative correlation.