Onset Of Facial Palsy Research Articles

Combining early lower eyelid surgery with neuromuscular retraining for synkinesis prevention after facial palsy: the role of the eye in aberrant facial nerve regeneration.

Facial synkinesis (FS) is a distressing sequela of facial palsy (FP) characterized by involuntary, simultaneous movements of facial muscles occurring during voluntary facial expressions. Treatment of synkinesis is challenging, and preventive methods are needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of physical facial nerve rehabilitation (PFNR) therapy alone vs. PNFR with eyelid surgery to correct lagophthalmos and prevent the onset of synkinesis. Twenty five outpatients were randomized to receive either PFNR alone (neuromuscular retraining and Kabat proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) or PNFR and early (90 days after FP onset) eyelid surgery (involving a conservative oculoplastic correction for lagophthalmos with epiphora or ectropion). Comprehensive otolaryngological assessments and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were conducted. Synkinesis progression was measured using Another Disease Scale (ADS) at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-treatment. The data were analyzed with ANOVA, τ-test, Chi-Square analyses. Patients undergoing eyelid surgery with PFNR showed faster (p < 0.001) and better recovery of facial movements (p < 0.05) than patients receiving PFNR alone comparing T0 and T12 (p < 0.0001). No synkinesis were observed in the PFNR plus surgery group while 37% of patients in PFNR alone had synkinesis (p = 0.03). At 24 months, none of the patients in the surgery group presented synkinesis. Combining early surgical treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos or epiphora with PFNR accelerated functional recovery and reduced synkinesis in patients with FP compared to facial rehabilitation alone. Further investigations in larger populations with long-term follow-up are needed. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06538103, NCT06538103.

B - 105 ICANS, CAR-T, and Cognition: a Case Study

Abstract Objective Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), an autoimmune delirious condition, affects 37.5% to 77% of individuals during or after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) treatment for hematologic cancers (Grant et al., 2022). Initial clinical response varies widely but may include apraxia, aphasia, disorientation, and hallucinations (Möhn et al., 2022). Recent research indicates complete symptom resolution in most patients a month post-ICANS onset (Sales et al., 2023). However, a self-report study suggested more than 1 in 3 report persisting cognitive sequelae 1–5 years post-ICANS onset (Rurak et al., 2020). This discrepancy may be due to subtle changes missed by the Montreal Cognitive Objective Assessment (Sales et al., 2023; Möhn et al., 2022). The current case report investigates neurobehavioral outcome post-ICANS via comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Method Two weeks post-CAR-T therapy, a 53-year-old male exhibited abrupt onset facial palsy and cognitive slowing prompting hospitalization. His wife reported new-onset apathy, atypical behaviors exacerbation (e.g., licking plate), and cognitive lapses (e.g., short-term memory, slowing, repeating questions) with little insight. Neuroimaging revealed supratentorial white matter hyperintensities plus calvarium and R skull base enhancing lesion regression. Results Neuropsychological assessment 10-months post-ICANS revealed subtle executive inefficiencies with family reports of improved yet ongoing social disinhibition and apathy. Conclusions This is the first comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of a patient who developed ICANS post-CAR-T therapy. Neuropsychologists should be aware of delayed cognitive sequelae possibility of this advancing treatment option. Future studies will be useful for patient/family preparation.

The effect of increasing motor end-plate innervation on smile activation in acute and early facial palsy.

While it has been over half a century since primary cross-facial nerve grafting was first described for facial reanimation, the outcome of this procedure, remains inconsistent and provide lesser smile excursion when compared to the likes of the masseteric nerve. However, the latter itself has limitations in terms of the lack of spontaneity and resting tone. While combinations have been attempted more proximally, we ask the question as to whether more distal nerve transfers with vascularized nerve grafts are a better option. In a retrospective review of clinical practice at our institute, 16 consecutive patients had single, double, and finally triple distal nerve transfers, close to the target facial muscle to reinnervate the motor endplates directly, over a 6-year period (2018-23). All patients had the onset of facial palsy within 18 months. Statistical analysis of the comparison between three sub-cohorts was performed using student's t-test and one-way ANOVA, respectively. Qualitatively, masseteric neurotization of a single facial nerve branch translated into smile improvement in 50% of cases, as opposed to all cases of double- and triple-neurotization of the smile muscles. In terms of upper lip elevation, single neurotization showed improvement in 25% of cases, double-neurotization in 40% of cases and triple-neurotization in 100% of cases. Upper lip elevation was also significantly better in those who had a vascularized cross-facial nerve graft (Student's t-test <0.05). In summary, increasing neural input to the motor endplates of smile muscles can significantly improve smile activation, in acute flaccid facial palsies.

Patterns and timing of recovery from facial nerve palsy after nerve-sparing parotid surgery: the role of neuromuscular retraining

ObjectivesAmong the complications of parotid surgery, facial palsy is frequent and burdened by high functional and social impact for the patient. There are few data on the efficacy of facial neuromuscular retraining (FNR) in patients with facial palsy after parotid surgery, and no data exist on its impact in timing and extent of recovery.Material and methodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing FN sparing parotid surgery and suffering from postoperative facial palsy. Among 400 patients undergoing surgery between July 2016 and May 2023, those with the preservation of the FN and onset of facial palsy were selected. Nerve function was evaluated during 2 years follow up using the House-Brackman (H&Bs) and Sunnybrook scales (SBs).ResultsA total of 46 patients undergoing partial or total parotidectomy were included. At discharge 18 patients (39,1%) had IV to VI grade paralysis according to the H&Bs and the mean SBs value was 54. At 2 and 6 months after surgery, the average value of Sunnybrook increased to 76.5 and 95.4 respectively. After 12 months no patients with IV to VI grade paralysis were represent in our cohort. Two years after surgery, only five patients (10.9%) had persistent grade II paralysis according to HBs.ConclusionsOur study supports the efficacy of FNR in the rehabilitation of facial paralysis after nerve-sparing parotidectomy. The greater functional improvement is achieved within the first 6 months of rehabilitation. A significant improvement is detected still after 18 months, supporting the importance of long rehabilitation for patients without complete recovery after the first year.

Triple nerve transfers for the management of early unilateral facial palsy.

Early onset facial paralysis is usually managed with cross-face nerve grafts, however the low number of axons that reach the target muscle may result in weakness or failure. Multiple-source innervation, or 'supercharging', seeks to combine the advantages of different donor nerves while minimizing their weaknesses. We propose a combination of cross-face nerve grafts with local extra-facial nerve transfers to achieve earlier facial reanimation in our patients. A retrospective cohort including all patients with early unilateral facial palsy (<12 months evolution) who underwent triple nerve transfer between 2019 and 2021 was conducted. We performed single-stage procedure including zygomatic-to-zygomatic and buccal-to-buccal cross-face grafts, a nerve-to-masseter to bucozygomatic trunk transfer, and a mini-hypoglossal to marginal branch transfer. Results were evaluated using the clinician-graded facial function scale (eFACE). Fifteen patients were included (eight females, seven males), mean age at the time of surgery was 48.9 ± 13.3 years. Palsy was right-sided in eight cases. The mean time from palsy onset to surgery was 5.5 ± 2.8 months. Patients showed improvement in static (70.8 ± 21.9 vs. 84.15 ± 6.68, p = 0.002) and dynamic scores (20 ± 16.32 vs. 74.23 ± 7.46, p < 0.001), as well as periocular (57.33 ± 15.23 vs. 74 ± 7.18, p = 0.007), smile (54.73 ± 11.93 vs. 85.62 ± 3.86, p < 0.001), mid-face (46.33 ± 18.04 vs. 95 ± 7.21, p < 0.001) and lower face scores (67.4 ± 1.55 vs. 90.31 ± 7.54, p < 0.001). The triple nerve transfer technique using cross-face nerve grafts, the nerve-to-masseter, and the hypoglossal nerve, is an effective and reproducible technique to obtain middle and lower face reanimation in cases of early facial palsy.

Pontine stroke in a patient with Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia (CPEO): a case report

BackgroundChronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a mitochondrial disease with slowly progressive bilateral ptosis and symmetric ophthalmoplegia due to a genetic mutation that results in defective oxidative phosphorylation. Common genes that are implicated in CPEO include POLG, RRM2B, ANT1 and PEO1/TWNK. Here, we report a case of a patient diagnosed with CPEO caused by a novel mutation in PEO/TWNK after suffering a right pontine stroke.Case presentationA 70-year-old man with history of chronic progressive bilateral ptosis and ophthalmoplegia, as well as similar ocular symptoms in his father and grandfather, presented with acute onset of right hemifacial weakness and dysarthria. Brain MRI revealed an acute ischemic stroke in the right dorsal pons. The patient did not experience diplopia due to severe baseline ophthalmoplegia. Creatine kinase was elevated to 6,080 U/L upon admission and normalized over the course of one week; electromyography revealed a myopathic process. Genetic testing revealed a novel mutation c.1510G > A (p. Ala504Thr) in a pathogenic “hot spot” of the C10ORF2 gene (TWNK/PEO1), which is associated with CPEO. The mutation appears to be deleterious using several pathogenicity prediction tools.ConclusionsThis case report describes a patient with late-onset CPEO caused by a novel, likely pathogenic, mutation in the TWNK gene. Although the patient presented with a pontine stroke, it manifested with solely new onset facial palsy, as he had a severe underlying ophthalmoplegia secondary to his CPEO.

Delayed Onset Facial Palsy After Temporal Bone Fracture: A Case Series

Study Design Retrospective Case Series Objective This study’s objective is to identify gaps in facial trauma care by exploring 4 cases of delayed onset facial nerve palsy after temporal bone fracture. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 4 patients who presented to the emergency department with facial palsy after a previous trauma. Relevant physical exam findings, radiological images and follow-up was documented. Results We present a case series of young, previously healthy patients who presented to the emergency department days or weeks after traumatic temporal bone fracture with delayed onset unilateral facial nerve paralysis. None of these patients were warned of this potential complication, connected to an outpatient physician and all received a costly workup. Conclusions Patients presenting with temporal bone fracture and intact facial nerve function can develop delayed-onset facial paralysis several days after their injury. To offset costly and stressful return visits to the emergency department, patients with temporal bone fractures along the course of the facial nerve should receive education regarding the possible delayed development of facial palsy prior to discharge and otolaryngological or primary care follow-up within 2 weeks of the injury.

A Study on Otorhinolaryngologist Perspective of Etiology and Outcomes in Lower Motor Neuron Facial Palsy: A Single Centre Experience Over a Year.

To analyse the aetiology and outcomes of all patients attending otorhinolaryngology department for Lower Motor Neuron type facial palsy over one year. STUDY DESIGN-Retrospective study. SETTING-SRM medical college hospital and research institute, Chennai from Jan 2021 to December 2021. SUBJECTS-23 patients with LMN facial palsy in the ENT department were analysed. METHOD-Details about the onset of facial palsy, history of trauma, surgeries were collected. Facial palsy grading according to House Brackmann was done. Relevant investigations, neurological assessments, appropriate treatment, facial physiotherapy, eye protection and relevant surgical management were carried out.Outcomes were assessed by HB grading. Among 23 patients, mean age of presentation of LMN palsy is 40.39 ± 15.0years. According to House Brackmann staging 21.73% had grade 5 facial palsy, 43.47% had grade 4,30.43% of patients had grade 3 and 4.34% had grade 2 facial palsy. 9 patients (39.13%) had facial palsy due to idiopathic cause, 6 (26.08%) had facial palsy due to otologic cause, 3(13.04%) due to Ramsay hunt syndrome and post traumatic in 8.69% of patients. Parotitis in 4.3% of patients and iatrogenic in 8.69% of patients. 18(78.26%) patients were treated medically alone and 5 (21.73%) patients required surgery.Mean duration of recovery is 28.52 ± 12.6days. In follow up, 21.73% of patient had grade 2 facial palsy and 76 .26% of patients had recovered completely. Facial palsy in our study had very good recovery due to early diagnosis and early start of appropriate treatment.

Rare Manifestation of Sjögren's Syndrome as Unilateral Facial Paralysis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Herein, we present a unique case of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) first presenting as facial palsy, as well as a literature review of case reports describing SS-associated facial paralysis. A PubMed search for papers containing the keywords Sjögren's syndrome or Sjögren's disease, as well as facial paralysis, facial paresis, facial palsy, or Bell's palsy, was performed. Articles not in English and cases of SS not involving facial paralysis were excluded. Appropriate articles were reviewed for patient demographics and symptoms of SS, including laterality of facial paralysis, cranial nerve involvement, and comorbid diseases. House-Brackmann grades were annotated based on either assignment by individual case reports or the authors' descriptions when sufficient details were present. Of 43 peer-reviewed articles found, 14 were both in the English language and provided adequate information on a total of 16 patients with facial paralysis and SS diagnosis. Ultimately, SS and other systemic autoimmune disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with insidious onset facial paralysis.

Surgical Reconsideration of Traumatic Facial Paralysis.

Despite the different pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Bell's palsy, in assessing severe traumatic facial paralysis, many surgeons rely on electrophysiological criteria to determine whether facial nerve exploration is warranted. To assess the value of preoperative electroneurography (ENoG) and the time of surgery, we analyzed data from three tertiary medical centers. The records of 517 patients with a degenerative ratio (DR) greater than 80% on ENoG were collected, and two groups were defined: group A (90% DR ≤ ENoG) and group B (80% DR ≤ ENoG < 90% DR). The difference in effectiveness of surgery versus conservative treatment was analyzed based on the postoperative outcome determined by the House-Brackmann grading system. The independent-samples t test was used to compare surgery with conservative treatment for each day of surgical exploration. In groups A and B, the average recovery time from facial paralysis was better in patients who had undergone surgical exploration than in those who had been treated conservatively. In group A, the difference was significant only for patients who underwent surgery within 8 days. In group B, a significant difference was found for patients who underwent surgery within 16 days but also for surgery performed 20 and 30 days after the onset of facial paralysis. In the surgical treatment of facial paralysis, the criteria for trauma patients should be distinguished from those of patients with Bell's palsy. In traumatic facial paralysis, some axons are more vulnerable to external collapse, and the degree of Wallerian degeneration of the peripheral nervous system will vary depending on the type of injury. The results of this study will help to identify those patients with traumatic facial paralysis who should be treated surgically and when they should be treated.

Comparative Study of Multimodal Therapy in Facial Palsy Patients.

Introduction In chronic facial palsy, synkinetic muscle overactivity and shortening causes muscle stiffness resulting in reduced movement and functional activity. This article studies the role of multimodal therapy in improving outcomes. Methods Seventy-five facial palsy patients completed facial rehabilitation before being successfully discharged by the facial therapy team. The cohort was divided into four subgroups depending on the time of initial attendance post-onset. The requirement for facial therapy, chemodenervation, or surgery was assessed with East Grinstead Grade of Stiffness (EGGS). Outcomes were measured using the Facial Grading Scale (FGS), Facial Disability Index, House-Brackmann scores, and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scale. Results FGS composite scores significantly improved posttherapy (mean-standard deviation, 60.13 ± 23.24 vs. 79.9 ± 13.01; confidence interval, –24.51 to –14.66, p < 0.0001). Analysis of FGS subsets showed that synkinesis also reduced significantly ( p < 0.0001). Increasingly, late clinical presentations were associated with patients requiring longer durations of chemodenervation treatment ( p < 0.01), more chemodenervation episodes ( p < 0.01), increased doses of botulinum toxin ( p < 0.001), and having higher EGGS score ( p < 0.001). Conclusions This study shows that multimodal facial rehabilitation in the management of facial palsy is effective, even in patients with chronically neglected synkinesis. In terms of the latency periods between facial palsy onset and treatment initiation, patients presenting later than 2 years were still responsive to multimodal treatment albeit to a lesser extent, which we postulate is due to increasing muscle contracture within their facial muscles.

Potential Association Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Facial Palsy: Three Cases With Neuroimaging Findings.

Acute onset Facial palsy was reported in four vaccinated participants in the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine clinical trials published on December 10, 2020. So far, few cases of Facial palsy among the mRNA vaccine groups have been previously documented in the literature. Facial palsy is cited as medically attended adverse event following immunization on April 12, 2021, after the first dose of the approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for preventive immunization for SARS-CoV-2 is administrated to the population in Turkey. This study is aimed to describe clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of three patients, who developed acute onset peripheral facial paralysis after administration of the BNT162b2 vaccine, without any previous medical condition. The first patient presented with right sided facial palsy within the same day following the vaccine was administrated, while the second patient presented with left sided facial palsy 2 months after vaccination. The third patient, on the other hand, presented with right sided facial palsy and abducens nerve (CN VI) paralysis two days after vaccine was administrated.

Differentiating Bell's Palsy From Lyme-Related Facial Palsy.

To describe the etiology and clinical course of pediatric acute-onset unilateral peripheral facial palsy (FP), to define factors that distinguish Bell's palsy from Lyme-related FP (LRFP), and to determine if early corticosteroid use impacts facial strength recovery in Bell's palsy or LRFP. Retrospective cohort study of children 1 to 18 years old who received clinical care within our pediatric clinical care network (Lyme-endemic region) between 2013 and 2018 for acute-onset unilateral peripheral FP. The study included 306 children; 82 (27%) had LRFP, 209 (68%) had Bell's palsy, and 15 (5%) had FP of different etiology. Most children with LRFP presented between June and November (93%), and compared with Bell's palsy, more often had a preceding systemic prodrome, including fever, malaise, headache, myalgias, and/or arthralgias (55% vs 6%, P < .001). Neuroimaging and lumbar puncture did not add diagnostic value in isolated FP. Of the 226 children with Bell's palsy or LRFP with documented follow-up, FP was resolved in all but 1. There was no association between ultimate parent/clinician assessment of recovery and early corticosteroid use. Bell's palsy and LRFP were common causes of pediatric FP in our Lyme endemic region. Systemic prodrome and calendar month may help distinguish LRFP from Bell's palsy at FP onset, guiding antibiotic use. Early corticosteroid use did not impact our measures of recovery, although subtle abnormalities may not have been appreciated, and time to recovery could not be assessed. Future prospective studies using standardized assessment tools at regular follow-up intervals are necessary.

Relationship between serum gonadal hormone levels and synkinesis in postmenopausal women and man with idiopathic facial paralysis

ObjectiveTo investigate whether serum gonadal hormone levels are correlated to the development of facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy in postmenopausal women and man. MethodsA total of 149 patients with Bell's palsy were enrolled in this study. All patients were instructed in standard treatment strategy by expert staff from their first visit. The degree of synkinesis was evaluated at 12 months after the onset of facial nerve palsy based on the synkinesis scores of Sunnybrook facial grading system. The patients were divided into two groups by gender. ResultsSerum estradiol levels were significantly higher in patients with facial synkinesis than in patients without facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy in postmenopausal female. Male patients with facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy had a higher serum estradiol and testosterone levels. Baseline ENoG values (OR=11.144, 95% CI=1.001-124.126, p=0.008) and serum estradiol levels (OR=1.145, 95% CI=1.033-1.270, p=0.010) were the two independent predictors for facial synkinesis in postmenopausal female patients. Meanwhile, baseline ENoG values (OR=5.312, 95% CI=0.626-45.069, p=0.035), HbA1c values (OR=27.470, 95% CI=2.001-43.084, p=0.016), serum E2 levels (OR=1.298, 95% CI=1.092-1.542, p=0.003), and serum testosterone levels (OR=1.892, 95% CI=1.309-2.734, p=0.001) were the independent predictors for facial synkinesis in male patients. ConclusionSerum estradiol levels are associated with the development of facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy in postmenopausal female patients. Serum estradiol and testosterone levels are associated with the development of facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy in male patients. Serum gonadal hormone levels might be acted as potential biomarker for predicting facial synkinesis following Bell's palsy.

Objective assessment of eyelid position and tear meniscus in facial nerve palsy

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate lower lid position and tear meniscus in peripheral idiopathic facial nerve palsy (FNP). Methods A prospective study enrolled patients with peripheral idiopathic FNP and epiphora. Data were collected on patient demographics,House-Brackmann (HB) scale, digital photographs of the face, and tear meniscusat the 1st, 30, and 90 day after onset of FNP. Marginal reflex distance to theupper (MRD1) and lower eyelid (MRD2) were evaluated using ImageJ software.Anterior segment optical coherence tomography(OCT) was performed to measure the tear menis- cus. P< .05 was consideredstatistically significant. Results Sixteen patients were evaluated. The HB scale at presentation was grade III in six patients (37.5%). At 90 day, nine patients(56.25%) were grade I-normal. Three (18.7%) had upper lid retraction, three(18.7%) upper eyelid asymmetry and 7 (43.75%), lower eyelid retraction. Thedifference between MRD2-FNP with MRD2-healthy side was 0.51 ± 1.9 mm at the 1stvisit, decreasing to 0.09 ± 1.47 mm at 90 days (P= .877). Tear meniscusmeasurements were significantly higher in FNP at the 1st visit (P= .001). Thedecrease in MRD2 was statistically correlated with the reduction of the tearmeniscus area (TMA) (r = 0.67; P= .007) at 90 days. No correlation was foundbetween HB and TMA. There is a difference in TMA between age groups at the 1stday(p= .009). Eldest group had higher HB scales. Conclusion Quantitative evaluation of eyelid position and tear meniscus are effective to document the evolution of FNP and can serve as aclue of orbicularis recovery.

Evaluation and surgical decision making in facial paralysis

Facial paralysis is a complex condition requiring a multidisciplinary and systematic approach to develop a comprehensive treatment regimen that will result in optimal outcomes. A multitude of surgical and non-surgical options are available. The time from onset of facial paralysis, type of paralysis (flaccid vs non-flaccid), continuity of facial nerve, and viability of the facial musculature are important factors to consider in the selection of treatment options. Other considerations include underlying etiology, patient preferences and comorbidities, degree of injury, involved facial zones, and laterality (unilateral vs bilateral). The reconstructive surgeon should be familiar with management options for both flaccid and non-flaccid facial paralysis. A wide array of dynamic and static surgical options is available for both early and delayed reanimation. In most cases, patients receive a combination of both dynamic and static treatments. In this article, we aim to discuss the evaluation of the patient with facial paralysis and provide a framework for decision making in treatment selection. Facial paralysis is a complex condition requiring a multidisciplinary and systematic approach to develop a comprehensive treatment regimen that will result in optimal outcomes. A multitude of surgical and non-surgical options are available. The time from onset of facial paralysis, type of paralysis (flaccid vs non-flaccid), continuity of facial nerve, and viability of the facial musculature are important factors to consider in the selection of treatment options. Other considerations include underlying etiology, patient preferences and comorbidities, degree of injury, involved facial zones, and laterality (unilateral vs bilateral). The reconstructive surgeon should be familiar with management options for both flaccid and non-flaccid facial paralysis. A wide array of dynamic and static surgical options is available for both early and delayed reanimation. In most cases, patients receive a combination of both dynamic and static treatments. In this article, we aim to discuss the evaluation of the patient with facial paralysis and provide a framework for decision making in treatment selection.

Facial nerve palsy following extraction of third molars : Case report

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is one of the most common cranial nerve disease. There can be multiple etiologies including trauma, infection, idiopathic conditions. In rare case, during dental treatment including extraction, peripheral facial palsy also can occur. Based on the time of onset and duration of the symptom, facial palsy could be classified on immediate or delayed. Immediate facial palsy is relatively common and mainly associated with the injection of local anesthetic. However, in case that onset of facial palsy and symptom are delayed, it is difficult to determine the pathogenesis. We report a rare case of delayed facial palsy as a complication of tooth extraction, which occurred 5 days after the tooth extraction and subsided in about 1 month and discuss the possible etiology and management.

Endoscopic transcanal facial nerve decompression in Bell's palsy: A pilot study

PurposeTo explore the surgical effects of endoscopic facial nerve decompression in Bell's palsy. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 15 patients with Bell's palsy. All had grade VI (House-Brackmann grading system) complete unilateral facial paralysis before surgery and a >95% reduction in amplitude on electroneurography testing compared to the unaffected side. Their MRI results indicated perineural edema in the geniculate ganglion area. Endoscopic decompression surgery was performed soon after they presented at our hospital. The time between onset of facial paralysis and surgery ranged from 25 to 93 days. All patients had no relevant surgical history or ear diseases. ResultsAt 1-year follow-up, 13 of the 15 (87%) patients had recovered to normal or near-normal facial function (House-Brackmann grade I-II), and all patients had reached House-Brackmann grade III or lower facial function. No obvious air-bone gap or sensorineural hearing loss occurred after surgery, and there were no severe complications or synkinesis. ConclusionsEndoscopic transcanal facial nerve decompression provides a less traumatic and improved exposure of the geniculate ganglion, and may also help prevent permanent severe facial sequela. Results of intraoperative facial nerve stimulation may be related to the length of time required for recovery. The optimal time of surgery after onset of paralysis needs to be investigated further, to identify a post-drug surgical therapy which may be more acceptable for patients. Patients' response to conservative treatments should be assessed as soon as possible so as not to delay surgery.

Three-dimensional objective evaluation of facial palsy and follow-up of recovery with a handheld scanner

Clinicians need accurate, reproducible, fast, and cost-effective grading systems to determine facial functions. There is currently no internationally accepted objective method to report the loss of function at the onset of facial paralysis and subsequent recovery. Our study aimed to test a three-dimensional handheld light scanner's efficacy for grading facial paralysis and monitoring recovery. Sixty-one healthy volunteers (28 men and 33 women) aged between 20 and 75 years (mean 36.4±11.9 years old) and 22 patients with facial palsy (10 male and 12 female patients) aged between 12 and 77 years (mean 47.6±19.7 years old) were included in the study. The healthy individuals' and patients' facial scans were performed with a three-dimensional handheld scanner during different facial expressions at 3-month intervals. The asymmetry and intensity degree of each facial expression were determined in terms of the root mean square. After facial paralysis, a significant larger asymmetry value (1.2±0.4mm vs. 2.0±0.8mm and p<0.05) was determined as compared to the control group, while a significant smaller intensity value (2.3±1.2mm vs. 1.7±0.9mm and p<0.05) was observed. At the end of 3 months, both parameters showed a tendency to recover. Our findings suggest that three-dimensional morphological analyses may be an effective method to grade facial palsy. However, our data need to be confirmed by larger cohort size and more extended follow-up periods.

What's Your Diagnosis? Symptoms: Ear Pain and Chronic Ear Drainage

What's Your Diagnosis? Symptoms: Ear Pain and Chronic Ear Drainage