Predicting recovery of facial nerve function following injury from a basilar skull fracture

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 759-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Adegbite ◽  
Moe I. Khan ◽  
L. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Recovery Of Function ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Partial Lesion

✓ Twenty-five patients with posttraumatic facial nerve palsy were studied. Partial recovery of function had occurred in 95% of these patients by 18 months after injury. At 5 months posttrauma, there was some recovery in 92.5% of those with a partial lesion compared with 10% of those with a complete lesion. This difference attains statistical significance. Complete recovery of nerve function had occurred by 10.5 months in 53.5% of the patients; in 62% of patients with a partial lesion, complete recovery had occurred by 4 months compared with 0% in those with a complete lesion. This difference also attains statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference in recovery of function between patients with an immediate as opposed to a delayed onset of facial nerve palsy. It was determined that the degree of palsy had a statistically significant influence on recovery of facial nerve function, whereas the time of onset did not. The data presented support a conservative approach to these injuries and it is recommended that the possibility of surgical treatment should be entertained in patients with complete facial palsy persisting for 12 to 18 months after injury.

Idiopatic facial nerve palsy in pregnancy – facts and myths

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Anna Rzepakowska ◽  
K Rybak ◽  
Kazimierz Niemczyk ◽  
P Rybak
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Paresis ◽  
Proven Efficacy ◽  
Bell Palsy

Idiopathic facial nerve palsy, called also Bell palsy, can be a challenge for clinicians if a pregnant woman reports symptoms of facial paresis. The incidence of Bell's paralysis in pregnant women is almost three times higher than in the non-pregnant women's age group. The problem is the lack of guidelines for the treatment of idiopatic facial nerve palsy in this group of patients. In randomized studies, but without participation of pregnant women, greater efficacy was found in the return of nerve function after early treatment with corticosteroids than with other methods. The dilemma concerning therapy is intensified by the fact that the prognosis regarding the return of facial nerve function in pregnant women is significantly worse than in the remaining population and the weakness of facial muscles is yet diagnosed in a young woman. In the article we present the example of a patient consulted in our department and the review of current literature. We introduce recommendations for the treatment of pregnant women with facial nerve palsy. There are discussed benefits, advised medicines, doses, necessary precautions and potential side effects of corticosteroids, which are the only ones that have proven efficacy in the treatment of Bell's paralysis in pregnant women.

scholarly journals Long-Term Facial Nerve Outcomes after Microsurgical Resection of Vestibular Schwannomas in Patients with Preoperative Facial Nerve Palsy

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (03) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mooney ◽  
Benjamin Hendricks ◽  
Christina Sarris ◽  
Robert Spetzler ◽  
Randall Porter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Vestibular Schwannoma ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Tumor Diameter ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Microsurgical Resection ◽  
Grade Iii

Objectives This study aimed at evaluating facial nerve outcomes in vestibular schwannoma patients presenting with preoperative facial nerve palsy. Design A retrospective review. Setting Single-institution cohort. Participants Overall, 368 consecutive patients underwent vestibular schwannoma resection. Patients with prior microsurgery or radiosurgery were excluded. Main Outcome Measures Incidence, House–Brackmann grade. Results Of 368 patients, 9 had confirmed preoperative facial nerve dysfunction not caused by prior treatment, for an estimated incidence of 2.4%. Seven of these nine patients had Koos grade 4 tumors. Mean tumor diameter was 3.0 cm (range: 2.1–4.4 cm), and seven of nine tumors were subtotally resected. All nine patients were followed up clinically for ≥ 6 months. Of the six patients with a preoperative House–Brackmann grade of II, two improved to grade I, three were stable, and one patient worsened to grade III. Of the three patients with grade III or worse, all remained stable at last follow-up. Conclusions Preoperative facial nerve palsy is rare in patients with vestibular schwannoma; it tends to occur in patients with relatively large lesions. Detailed long-term outcomes of facial nerve function after microsurgical resection for these patients have not been reported previously. We followed nine patients and found that eight (89%) of the nine patients had either stable or improved facial nerve outcomes after treatment. Management strategies varied for these patients, including rates of subtotal versus gross-total resection and the use of stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with residual tumor. These results can be used to help counsel patients preoperatively on expected outcomes of facial nerve function after treatment.

scholarly journals Traumatic facial nerve palsy: evaluation and surgical management

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1111
Author(s):  
Chaitry K. Shah ◽  
Shalu Gupta ◽  
Bela J. Prajapati ◽  
Devang P. Gupta ◽  
Viral Prajapati
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Facial Palsy ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Surgical Decompression ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Good Recovery ◽  
Facial Nerve Function

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Acute facial paralysis can result from various causes, among which intra temporal facial palsy is relatively common. Of all the cranial nerves, the facial nerve is most susceptible to injury due to its long course within the skull. Diagnosis of facial palsy is usually made by a good clinical history, examination and radiological investigations. Electrophysiological tests are important for prognosis and optimal time for surgery. The aim is to study the evaluation and surgical management in traumatic cause of facial nerve palsy.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 50 patients presented with facial nerve palsy due to trauma in civil hospital Ahmedabad over a period of 1 year from May 2018 to 2019. Patients were examined and graded using House and Brackmann grading system. All the patients were evaluated and treated by surgical decompression. Follow up was carried out upto 6 months.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The cause of facial nerve palsy in all 50 patients was accidental head trauma. All the patients were managed by surgical decompression. 46 out of 50 patients managed surgically had good recovery with restoration of complete facial nerve function. 4 out 50 patients had poor recovery due to late presentation.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Early initiation of treatment is important for favorable recovery of facial nerve function after trauma. Surgical treatment is indicated in suspected bony impingement of nerve. Surgical decompression if done early usually results in very good recovery.  </p>

scholarly journals Delayed facial nerve palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Walter J. Fagundes Pereyra ◽  
Alonso Luis De Sousa ◽  
Karlo Faria Nunes ◽  
Deborah Nunes De Angeli
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Vestibular Schwannoma ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Immunological Study ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Nerve Dysfunction

Background: Facial nerve dysfunction may occur immediately after vestibular schwanoma surgery. Electromyographyc monitoring of motor cranial nerves during cerebellopontine angle surgery has become an essential tool. Although delayed onset of facial nerve dysfunction hours to months following vestibular schwanoma surgery are rare. Case description: We describe the case of a 70-years-old male who was admitted with a left side tinnitus and hearing loss of the last 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1-weighted demonstrated an isointensity lesion, 30mm in diameter, at the left cerebello-pontine angle with a small portion in the internal auditory canal. The patient was surgically treated by means of a standart suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. The facial nerve was monitored by continuously during surgery. Surgical removal was macroscopically complete. The facial nerve was well-preserved during surgery and showed at the end of the procedure normal electromyographic activity. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged at the 4th postoperative day and facial function was normal (House-Brackmann grade I). On the 10th postoperative day he notices difficult closing his left eye that progressed to complete facial nerve palsy (House-Brackmann grade III). Steroid therapy was performed for five days associated with physical therapy. One month later his facial nerve function had completely recovered. After six months, the patient remains asymptomatic and neurologically intact. MRI obtained at the 16th postoperative day showed intense enhancement of the intracranial facial nerve segment and also demonstrated no residual tumor. Immunological study at the time of onset showed herpes simplex virus antibody titer normal as well as those for herpes zoster virus. Conclusions: Delayed facial nerve palsy remains an under reported and consequently not very known phenomenon in the neurosurgical practice and literature. Because of the 2009favorable rate of recovery, patients should be reassured in the interim and should not undergo any corrective surgical procedures to improve facial nerve function. Delayed facial nerve palsy is uncommon after vestibular schwannoma surgery. Excellent recovery of facial nerve function to the original postoperative status nearly always occurs in those circumstances.

Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy after Middle Ear Surgery

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P54-P54
Author(s):  
Panagiotis N Papanikolaou ◽  
John E Xenelis ◽  
Thanos Bibas ◽  
John V Sengas
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Chronic Otitis Media ◽  
Middle Ear Surgery ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Ear Surgery ◽  
Profound Hearing Loss

Objective 1) Report the incidence and outcome of delayed facial nerve palsy following middle ear surgery in our department, and 2) review the medical literature. Methods This is a retrospective chart review study of 833 patients who were operated for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (572 patients), otosclerosis (192 patients), and profound hearing loss who received a cochlear implant (68 patients) since 1993. Results Delayed facial nerve palsy was observed in 10 patients (1.2%). In all cases, immediate postoperative facial nerve function was normal and the palsy occurred 5 to 8 days postoperatively. Facial nerve function recovered in all patients within 6 months. Assessment and management issues are discussed. Conclusions Delayed facial nerve palsy may rarely occur following middle ear surgery and has an excellent recovery rate.

Facial nerve injury in acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) surgery: etiology and prevention

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Sampath ◽  
Michael J. Holliday ◽  
Henry Brem ◽  
John K. Niparko ◽  
Donlin M. Long
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Acoustic Neuroma ◽  
Postoperative Period ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Injury ◽  
Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

Facial nerve injury associated with acoustic neuroma surgery has declined in incidence but remains a clinical concern. A retrospective analysis of 611 patients surgically treated for acoustic neuroma between 1973 and 1994 was undertaken to understand patterns of facial nerve injury more clearly and to identify factors that influence facial nerve outcome. Anatomical preservation of the facial nerve was achieved in 596 patients (97.5%). In the immediate postoperative period, 62.1% of patients displayed normal or near-normal facial nerve function (House-Brackmann Grade 1 or 2). This number rose to 85.3% of patients at 6 months after surgery and by 1 year, 89.7% of patients who had undergone acoustic neuroma surgery demonstrated normal or near-normal facial nerve function. The surgical approach appeared to have no effect on the incidence of facial nerve injury. Poor facial nerve outcome (House-Brackmann Grade 5 or 6) was seen in 1.58% of patients treated via the suboccipital approach and in 2.6% of patients treated via the translabyrinthine approach. When facial nerve outcome was examined with respect to tumor size, there clearly was an increased incidence of facial nerve palsy seen in the immediate postoperative period in cases of larger tumors: 60.8% of patients with tumors smaller than 2.5 cm had normal facial nerve function, whereas only 37.5% of patients with tumors larger than 4 cm had normal function. This difference was less pronounced, however, 6 months after surgery, when 92.1% of patients with tumors smaller than 2.5 cm had normal or near normal facial function, versus 75% of patients with tumors larger than 4 cm. The etiology of facial nerve injury is discussed with emphasis on the pathophysiology of facial nerve palsy. In addition, on the basis of the authors' experience with these complex tumors, techniques of preventing facial nerve injury are discussed.

Alternative to tarsorrhaphy in peripheral facial nerve palsy with expectation of functional recovery

1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Fernandez ◽  
Roberto Pallini ◽  
Giulio Maira
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Simple Technique ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Opening And Closing ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A simple technique is described for protecting the cornea in patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy while waiting for recovery of nerve function. The application of an adhesive strip to the superior eyelid permits opening and closing of the eye, and provides good protection of the cornea.

Surgical Management of Intrinsic Tumors of the Facial Nerve

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 740-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampath Chandra Prasad ◽  
Melissa Laus ◽  
Manjunath Dandinarasaiah ◽  
Enrico Piccirillo ◽  
Alessandra Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Facial Nerve Palsy ◽  
Hearing Preservation ◽  
Rare Entity ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Tumor Removal ◽  
The Mean

Abstract BACKGROUND Intrinsic tumors of the facial nerve are a rare entity. Dealing with this subset of tumors is challenging both in terms of decision making and surgical intervention. OBJECTIVE To review the outcomes of surgical management of facial nerve tumors and cable nerve graft interpositioning. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed at a referral center for skull base pathology. One hundred fifteen patients who were surgically treated for facial nerve tumors were included. In case of nerve interruption during surgery, the cable nerve interpositioning technique was employed wherein the facial nerve palsy lasted for less than 1-yr duration. In cases of facial nerve palsy lasting for greater than 1 yr, the nerve was restituted by a hypoglossal facial coaptation. RESULTS Various degrees of progressive paralysis were seen in 84 (73%) cases. Sixty nine (60%) of the tumors involved multiple segments of the facial nerve. Sixty-two (53.9%) tumors involved the geniculate ganglion. Seventy four (64.3%) of the cases were schwannomas. Hearing preservation surgeries were performed in 60 (52.1%). Ninety one (79.1%) of the nerves that were sectioned in association with tumor removal were restituted primarily by interposition cable grafting. The mean preoperative House-Brackmann grading of the facial nerve was 3.6. The mean immediate postoperative grading was 5.4, which recovered to a mean of 3.4 at the end of 1 yr. CONCLUSION In patients with good facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grade I-II), a wait-and-scan approach is recommended. In cases where the facial nerve has been interrupted during surgery, the cable nerve interpositioning technique is a convenient and well-accepted procedure for immediate restitution of the nerve.

Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis: A Meta-Analytic Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 542-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sertac Yetiser ◽  
Ugur Karapinar
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Facial Nerve Paralysis ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Nerve Paralysis ◽  
Nerve Anastomosis

Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted on the outcome of facial nerve function after hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in humans. The roles of the timing of and the underlying cause for surgery, the type of the repair, and previous facial nerve function in the final result were analyzed. Methods: Articles were identified by means of a PubMed search using the key words “facial-hypoglossal anastomosis,” which yielded 109 articles. The data were pooled from existing literature written in English or French. Twenty-three articles were included in the study after we excluded those that were technical reports, those describing anastomosis to cranial nerves other than the hypoglossal, and those that were experimental animal studies. Articles that reported facial nerve function after surgery and timing of repair were included. Facial nerve function had to be reported according to the House-Brackmann scale. If there was more than 1 article by the same author(s), only the most recent article and those that did not overlap and that matched the above criteria were accepted. The main parameter of interest was the rate of functional recovery of the facial nerve after anastomosis. This parameter was compared among all groups with Pearson's X2 test in the SPSS program for Windows. Statistical significance was set at a p level of less than .05. Results: Analysis of the reports indicates that early repair, before 12 months, provides a better outcome. The severity of facial nerve paralysis does not have a negative effect on prognosis. Gunshot wounds and facial neuroma are the worst conditions for favorable facial nerve recovery after anastomosis. Transection of the hypoglossal nerve inevitably results in ipsilateral tongue paralysis and atrophy. Modification of the anastomosis technique seems to resolve this problem. Nevertheless, the effect of modified techniques on facial reanimation is still unclear, because the facial nerve function results were lacking in these reports. Conclusions: Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is an effective and reliable technique that gives consistent and satisfying results.

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