Repair of facial nerve after removal of cerebellopontine angle tumors: a comparative study

1993 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 720-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. King ◽  
O. C. Sparrow ◽  
J. M. Arias ◽  
A. F. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Nerve Repair ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Kappa Statistic ◽  
Complete Agreement ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nerve Tumor ◽  
Facial Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The results of repair of 18 facial nerves were examined by means of a modified House-Brackmann grading system. Six were repaired by end-to-end anastomosis and 12 by nerve graft. The reliability of the simplified House-Brackmann grading system was also assessed, using the kappa statistic to analyze the agreement between pairs of observers who examined the function of 40 nerves in 37 patients. Facial nerves studied had been either preserved, repaired or grafted, or divided and treated by faciohypoglossal nerve anastomosis. One nerve was not treated. The grading system proved to be somewhat unreliable, with complete agreement between observers in only 25% of cases. Facial nerve repair produced a fair return of function in just under two-thirds of the cases. The ability of an examiner ignorant of the patient's history to assess from the end result how the nerve had been managed was also estimated. Observers showed little ability to decide correctly on the previous treatment of the nerve when the patient showed moderate dysfunction postoperatively. The implications of these findings for grading systems and for management of the facial nerve in acoustic nerve tumor surgery are discussed.

Interface between the facial nerve and large acoustic neurinomas Immunohistochemical study of the cleavage plane in NF2 and non-NF2 cases

1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Jääskeläinen ◽  
Anders Paetau ◽  
Ilmari Pyykkö ◽  
Göran Blomstedt ◽  
Tauno Palva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Cleavage Plane ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Acoustic Neurinoma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Nerve Tumor ◽  
Facial Nerves ◽  
Acoustic Neurinomas

✓ In acoustic neurinoma surgery, the surgeon is required to find a cleavage plane between the facial nerve and the tumor, and with the aid of the operating microscope this is usually achieved by fine dissection. A histological specimen of the nerve-tumor interface is available only if the facial nerve was hopelessly adherent to the tumor (usually a large or giant neoplasm) and the surgeon decided to sever the nerve to obtain a complete removal. The authors have examined immunohistochemically the nerve-tumor interface of 20 such facial nerves (six cases of neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and 14 of non-NF2) in a series of 351 acoustic neurinomas. The largest extrameatal dimension of the 20 tumors ranged from 20 to 51 mm (median 39 mm). In all of these 20 instances the nerve-tumor contact area was at least partially devoid of a clear-cut histological cleavage plane. Where the facial nerve trunk was attached to the surface of the tumor, nerve fibers of the contact areas either abutted directly against tumor cells or nerve fibers were seen to penetrate into the tumor tissue. Frank embedding of nerve fibers was more frequent in NF2.

Facial nerve repair accomplished by the interposition of a collagen nerve guide

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Américo Kiyoshi Kitahara ◽  
Yoshihiko Nishimura ◽  
Yasuhiko Shimizu ◽  
Katsuaki Endo
Keyword(s):  
Horseradish Peroxidase ◽  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Electrophysiological Study ◽  
Nerve Repair ◽  
The Other ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Facial Nerve Paralysis ◽  
Nerve Paralysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Facial nerve paralysis due to a surgical procedure or trauma is a frequently observed complication. The authors evaluated facial nerve repair achieved by the interposition of a collagen nerve guide.Methods. Ten cats were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of six animals in which a 5-mm facial nerve segment on one side was resected and replaced by a collagen tube that was sutured to bridge both nerve stumps. On the opposite side a 5-mm segment of facial nerve was resected, reversed 180°, and sutured to the stumps as an autograft nerve. Group 2 consisted of two cats in which the collagen nerve guide was interposed on one side and the nerve on the other side was left intact. Group 3 consisted of two cats in which a reversed autograft nerve was placed on one side and the nerve on the other side was left intact. Histological, electrophysiological, and horseradish peroxidase labeling examinations were performed starting 3 weeks after surgery.Light and electron microscopic examinations of collagen tube—implanted specimens revealed a well-vascularized regenerated nerve. The electrophysiological study confirmed the recovery of electrical activity in regenerated axons. Horseradish peroxidase labeling also confirmed restoration of the whole facial nerve tract.Conclusions. The collagen nerve guide shows great promise as a nerve conduit.

Microscopic measurement of the facial nerve root exit zone from central glial myelin to peripheral Schwann cell myelin

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Tomii ◽  
Hisashi Onoue ◽  
Masaharu Yasue ◽  
Shogo Tokudome ◽  
Toshiaki Abe
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Exit Point ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medial Side ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Facial Nerves ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors have attempted to define the exact borders of the root exit zone (RExZ) of the facial nerve, measure the distribution of myelin histologically, and examine the relationship between contact vessels and the RExZ. Methods. Seventy-five facial nerves were obtained from brainstems excised from 44 adult patients at autopsy. The arteries and veins associated with the facial nerve were counted and measured. The facial nerves, associated vasculature, and adjoining portions of the brainstem were then removed en bloc. These tissues were serially sectioned and stained, and a photomicrograph of each section was obtained. The distribution of myelin on each section was measured from the upper edge of the supraolivary fossette, and the relationship between contact vessels and the RExZ was examined. The lateral transitional zone of the facial nerve began 8 mm distal to the upper edge of the supraolivary fossette (root exit point [RExP]) and had a mean length of 1.9 mm. The root detachment point (RDP) of the facial nerve at the medial side was located very close to the beginning of the medial transitional zone. In more than 80% of the nerves that were examined, vascular structures compressed the central glial myelin of the nerve. Conclusions. The authors propose the use of the terms “RExP,” “RDP,” and “transitional zone,” instead of RExZ, which cannot be well defined. The RDP appears to be a good landmark for use during microvascular decompression.

Surgical anatomy for direct hypoglossal—facial nerve side-to-end “anastomosis”

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuyuki Asaoka ◽  
Yutaka Sawamura ◽  
Masabumi Nagashima ◽  
Takanori Fukushima
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Hypoglossal Nerve ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pes Anserinus ◽  
Nearest Point ◽  
Facial Nerves ◽  
Nerve Anastomosis ◽  
Fine Print

Object. In this study the authors investigated the histomorphometric background and microsurgical anatomy associated with surgically created direct hypoglossal—facial nerve side-to-end communication or nerve “anastomosis.”Methods. Histomorphometric analyses of the facial and hypoglossal nerves were performed using 24 cadaveric specimens and three surgically obtained specimens of severed facial nerve. Both the hypoglossal nerve at the level of the atlas and the facial nerve just distal to the external genu were monofascicular. The number of myelinated axons in the facial nerve (7228 ± 950) was 73.2% of those in the normal hypoglossal nerve (9778 ± 1516). Myelinated fibers in injured facial nerves were remarkably decreased in number. The cross-sectioned area of the normal facial nerve (0.948 mm2) accounted for 61.5% of the area of the hypoglossal nerve (1.541 mm2), whereas that of the injured facial nerve (0.66 mm2) was less than 50% of the area of the hypoglossal nerve. Surgical dissection and morphometric measurements were performed using 18 sides of 11 adult cadaver heads. The length of the facial nerve from the pes anserinus to the external genu ranged from 22 to 42 mm (mean 30.5 ± 4.4 mm). The distance from the pes anserinus to the nearest point on the hypoglossal nerve ranged from 14 to 22 mm (mean 17.3 ± 2.5 mm). The former was always longer than the latter; the excess ranged from 6 to 20 mm (mean 13.1 ± 3.4 mm). Surgical anatomy and procedures used to accomplish the nerve connection are described.Conclusions. The size of a half-cut end of the hypoglossal nerve matches a cut end of the injured facial nerve very well. By using the technique described, a length of facial nerve sufficient to achieve a tensionless communication can consistently be obtained.

En bloc petrosectomy using a Gigli saw for petroclival lesions

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomio Sasaki ◽  
Makoto Taniguchi ◽  
Ichiro Suzuki ◽  
Takaaki Kirino
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Petrous Bone ◽  
New Technique ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Transtentorial Approach ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report a new technique for en bloc petrosectomy using a Gigli saw as an alternative to drilling the petrous bone in the combined supra- and infratentorial approach or the transpetrosal—transtentorial approach. It is simple and easy and avoids postoperative cosmetic deformity. This technique has been performed in 11 petroclival lesions without injuring the semicircular canals, the cochlea, or the facial nerve.

A proposed grading system for arteriovenous malformations

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Spetzler ◽  
Neil A. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Clinical Series ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
Eloquent Cortex ◽  
Fine Print

✓ An important factor in making a recommendation for treatment of a patient with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is to estimate the risk of surgery for that patient. A simple, broadly applicable grading system that is designed to predict the risk of morbidity and mortality attending the operative treatment of specific AVM's is proposed. The lesion is graded on the basis of size, pattern of venous drainage, and neurological eloquence of adjacent brain. All AVM's fall into one of six grades. Grade I malformations are small, superficial, and located in non-eloquent cortex; Grade V lesions are large, deep, and situated in neurologically critical areas; and Grade VI lesions are essentially inoperable AVM's. Retrospective application of this grading scheme to a series of surgically excised AVM's has demonstrated its correlation with the incidence of postoperative neurological complications. The application of a standardized grading scheme will enable a comparison of results between various clinical series and between different treatment techniques, and will assist in the process of management decision-making.

Posterior petrous meningiomas: 82 cases

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Bao Wu ◽  
Chun Jiang Yu ◽  
Shu Sen Guan
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Petrous Bone ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Posterior Surface ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Functional Preservation ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The aim of this study was to discuss posterior petrous meningiomas—their classification, clinical manifestations, surgical treatments, and patient outcomes. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed in 82 patients with posterior petrous meningiomas for microsurgery. According to the anatomical relationship with the posterior surface of the petrous bone and with special reference to the internal auditory canal (IAC), posterior petrous meningiomas were classified into three types: Type I, located laterally to the IAC (28 cases); Type II, located medially to the IAC, which might extend to the cavernous sinus and clivus (32 cases); and Type III, extensively attached to the posterior surface of the petrous bone, which might envelop the seventh and eighth cranial nerves (22 cases). Sixty-eight (83%) of 82 cases involved total resection. The rate of anatomical preservation of facial nerve was 97.5%, whereas the functional preservation rate was 81%. The rate of hearing preservation was 67%. All Type I tumors were completely resected, and the rate of anatomical preservation of facial nerve was 100% and functional preservation was 93%. Regarding Type II lesions, 75% of 32 cases involved total resection; the rate of anatomical preservation of facial nerve was 97% and functional preservation was 75%. For Type III lesions, 73% of 22 cases were totally resected. The rate of anatomical preservation of facial nerve in patients with this tumor type was 95%, whereas functional preservation was 73%. Conclusions. Clinical manifestations and surgical prognoses are different among the various types of posterior petrous meningiomas. It is more difficult for Types II and III tumors to be resected radically than Type I lesions, and postoperative functional outcomes are significantly worse accordingly. The primary principles in dealing with this disease entity include preservation of vital vascular and central nervous system structures and total resection of the tumor as much as possible.

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.

Hemifacial spasm

1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 753-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Iwakuma ◽  
Akihisa Matsumoto ◽  
Nishio Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stylomastoid Foramen ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Selective Neurectomy ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Patients with hemifacial spasm were treated by three different surgical procedures: 1) partial sectioning of the facial nerve just distal to the stylomastoid foramen; 2) selective neurectomy of facial nerve branches; and 3) microvascular decompression. A retromastoid craniectomy with microvascular decompression was most effective in relieving hemifacial spasm and synkinesis. In a postmorten examination on one patient, microscopic examination of the facial nerve, which was compressed by an arterial loop of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery at the cerebellopontine angle, revealed fascicular demyelination in the nerve root. On the basis of surgical treatment, electromyography, and neuropathological findings, the authors conclude that compression of the facial nerve root exit zone by vascular structures is the main cause of hemifacial spasm and synkinesis.

Muscle basal lamina: a new graft material for peripheral nerve repair

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Fawcett ◽  
Roger J. Keynes
Keyword(s):  
Basal Lamina ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Nerve Repair ◽  
Graft Material ◽  
Axon Diameter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Refractory Periods ◽  
Conduction Velocities ◽  
Sciatic Nerves ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The suitability of muscle basal lamina as a graft material for the repair of peripheral nerves was investigated. Grafts were prepared by evacuating the myoplasm from muscles excised from rats and rabbits. This produced a material consisting mainly of basal lamina and connective tissue, with the basal lamina arranged as parallel tubes. Rat- and rabbit-derived graft material in 0.5-cm lengths was sutured into rat sciatic nerves, and 4-cm lengths of rabbit-derived graft material were interposed into rabbit sciatic nerves. For controls, 0.5-cm nerve autografts were grafted into rats and 4-cm autografts into rabbits. After 2 to 3 months, the success of the grafts was assessed functionally, electrophysiologically, and anatomically. By all these criteria the basal lamina grafts were as successful as nerve autografts; essentially the same number of axons of the same size grew through both graft types, animals recovered their limb function equally well, and the nerve conduction velocities and relative refractory periods were the same in both groups of animals. In rats, following both basal lamina and nerve autografts, the number of axons distal to the grafts was approximately the same as that proximal to them, but axon diameter and speed of conduction were significantly less than normal. The authors conclude that muscle basal lamina grafts are as effective as nerve autografts for repairing severed rat or rabbit peripheral nerves, and suggest that grafts prepared in this way may prove to be useful for nerve repair in humans.

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