INTRODUCTION: Facial nerve palsy results in the loss of facial expression and is most commonly caused by a benign self-limiting inflammatory condition, known as Bell's palsy. However, there are other conditions which may result in injury of the seventh cranial nerve and the radiologist should be familiar with their imaging appearances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant anatomy of the facial nerve and pathology which may affect the intratemporal portion of the nerve is described. The role of imaging and choice of imaging modality is also reviewed. RESULTS: High-resolution computer tomography(HRCT) images of the temporal bone and magnetic resonance(MR) images of the facial nerve from 11 patients who presented with facial nerve palsy were used to illustrate how intratemporal facial nerve injury of other aetiologies can mimic Bell's palsy. The typical imaging appearance of Bell's palsy was also presented. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with suspected Bell's palsy do not require radiologic imaging. However, when symptoms progress, persist or when there is multiple cranial nerve involvement, recurrent symptoms or subacute onset of facial nerve palsy, causes other than Bell's palsy should be considered. (+info)
Temporalis muscle-galea pedicled flap for reconstruction of longstanding facial paralysis.
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Reanimation of longstanding facial paralysis is a difficult clinical problem commonly tackled with the method of pedicled muscle flap transfer. The temporalis muscle has been the most popular. In the past, one common problem was that the flap was not long enough to reach parts of the face distant from the affected area. To overcome this disadvantage, we have devised a flap consisting of the pedicled temporalis muscle, temporal fascia and galea together and have achieved good static results in paralyzed faces. From June, 1996 to May, 2003, we used this procedure with 38 longstanding facial paralysis patients (16 male and 22 female); 23 had right-sided and 15 had left-sided facial paralysis. The patients were followed-up over three years. Our results were recorded as "Excellent", "Good", "Fair" or "Poor". Excellent or good results were obtained in 33 patients (87%). In these patients, the static results are very good. The oral commissure on the affected side maintained a favorable position and almost complete symmetry of expression was attained. We have achieved dynamic reconstruction by using a temporalis muscle-galea pedicled flap in 38 longstanding facial paralysis patients. Our results show that this is a good option in treating such patients. (+info)
Isolated dysarthria-facial paresis syndrome: a rare clinical entity which is usually overlooked.
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the study is to search the lesion localization of the pure isolated facial paresis-dysarthria syndrome in patients who were admitted to our neurology clinic in a prospective study. METHODS: Over a period of six years, the patients who had no prominent sensorimotor dysfunction were examined by neurologists and underwent computerized tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Eleven patients out of more than 2000 had the aforementioned clinical picture. Lacunar infarctions were identified at the corona radiata in nine patients, and at the internal capsule in two patients. As reported previously, facial paresis was usually mild and temporary. Six of our eleven patients were seen at the outpatient clinic one month later. Four of them had completely recovered and the other two had mild dsyarthria without any facial paresis. The other five could not be reached after leaving the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Dysarthria-facial paresis is a rare clinical entity and possibly a variation of dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome, and we suggest that pure facial paresis (FP) and pure dysarthria should be considered as very extreme examples of this syndrome. (+info)
Surgical correction of unilateral and bilateral facial palsy.
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Unilateral and bilateral facial palsies are debilitating and depressing conditions for the patient. For the past 30 years attempts have been made to improve the reanimation of these patients. The ability to transfer axons over significant distances with nerve grafts and the transfer of muscle that can be revascularised by microvascular surgery greatly improves results of this surgery. The revascularisation of muscle has been the important step forward but the re-focusing of interest in this condition has brought about a number of peripheral advances. (+info)
The influence of age in peripheral facial palsy on brainstem reflex excitability.
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BACKGROUND: Neuronal plasticity is expected to be different at different ages and adaptive changes developing after peripheral facial palsy (PFP) may provide a clue in this respect. AIMS: To investigate the difference in the reorganization developing after facial nerve damage between patients who developed PFP at childhood-youth and middle-old age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients were divided into two groups according to the age-at-onset of PFP; young (PFP 1), and elderly (PFP 2). Two age-matched control groups (C 1 and C 2) comprised of 32 healthy subjects were included in the study. The latency, R(2) area, and recovery of the R(2) area of the blink reflex were investigated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were used. RESULTS: The R(2) areas were significantly greater on the intact side of the PFP 1 group as compared to that in the control group ( P =0.012). The recovery of R2 component was significantly enhanced on the symptomatic (P = 0.027), and intact (P = 0.041) sides in PFP 1 as compared to that in the C 2 group at the stimulus interval of 600 ms. Significant enhanced recovery was noted at 200 ms stimulus interval on the symptomatic side of the two PFP groups (PFP 1, P = 0.05 and PFP 2, P = 0.025) and on the intact side of the PFP 1 group (P =0.035) as compared to that in the control groups. CONCLUSION: Young age-at-onset of PFP is associated with more prominent excitability changes developing at the neuronal and interneuronal level. (+info)
Treatment of complications of parotid gland surgery.
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Although several reports in the literature have documented the surgical technique, and the oncological outcome achieved with parotidectomy, only a few articles have described the complications of parotid gland surgery and their management. Several complications have been reported in parotid surgery. We re-classified the complications of parotidectomy in intra-operative and post-operative (early and late). The commonest complications after parotidectomy are temporary or permanent facial palsy and Frey's syndrome. (+info)
Multiple sclerosis as first manifestation in oral and facial area: presentation of four cases.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, whose etiology is unknown, and which is characteristic by the appearance of a diverse neurological symptomatology consisting of outbreaks or gradual deterioration and lesions in any location of the brain s white matter which may provoke the after-effect of a definitive demyelination of the area. The disease affects young people, with its appearance being most frequent between 20 and 40 years of age, in temperate and cold climates, and with a man-woman rate of 0.46/0.67. The magnitude of this disease lies in the fact that it is the primary cause for permanent disablement among young adults. We are presenting 4 cases of MS whose initial symptom of the disease was the appearance of paraesthesia in the maxillofacial area, affecting one or more ramifications of the trigeminal nerve, and a progression time varying from 15 days to one year. All the patients were clinically diagnosed, with their diagnostics being confirmed both with magnetic resonance imaging as well as through the study of their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the evoked potentials (EPs). Manifestations in the oral and facial area were the first manifestation of the disease in all cases. (+info)
Facial nerve paralysis after impacted lower third molar surgery: a literature review and case report.
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Facial nerve paralysis (FNP) is the most common cranial nerve disorders and it results in a characteristic facial distortion that is determined in part by the nerves branches involved. With multiples etiologies, these included trauma, tumor formation, idiopathic conditions, cerebral infarct, pseudobulbar palsy and viruses. FNP during dental treatment is very rare and can be associated with the injection of local anesthetic, prolonged attempt to remove a mandibular third molar and subsequent infection. We report a case of a 21 years-old black woman who developed a Bell's palsy after an impacted third molar surgery under local anaesthesia, present a FNP classified like a grade IV by the House-Brackmann's grading system. The treatment was based of prescription of a cytidine and uridine complex (NUCLEO CMP tm) one tablet twice per day and a close follow up. Three months later that had beginning the treatment, the patient recovery her normal facial muscle activity. (+info)