Bell's palsy

Bell's palsy is the term given to an idiopathic lower motor neurone facial nerve paresis or paralysis. It is of rapid onset, almost always unilateral, and may be associated with facial or retro-auricular pain or otalgia. It is the most common diagnosis associated with facial nerve palsy; a GP will see a case approximately every 2 years in practice in the United Kingdom. Early diagnosis and steroid treatment increase the likelihood of full recovery, whereas ocular complications can be prevented by lubricants and lid taping. Over 70% of patients recover within a year. Options to improve facial appearance and function, in those who do not experience a complete recovery, include surgery.

Facial nerve paresis in the course of masked mastoiditis as a revelator of GPA

Purpose The aim of this study was to present a series of 6 patients with facial nerve palsy and masked mastoiditis which constituted as revelators of localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and to evaluate the utility of the ACR/EULAR 2017 provisional classification criteria for GPA in such cases. Methods Study group included 58 patients with GPA. Cases with facial nerve palsy and masked mastoiditis were thoroughly analyzed. Results The mean age of patients was 37 years. All manifested unilateral facial nerve palsy and hearing loss, while only 2 reported aural complaints suggesting inflammatory cause of the disease. All cases were qualified for surgical intervention. Intraoperative findings were similar: granulation tissue in tympanic cavity and/or pneumatic spaces of the mastoid process. Only 50% of histopathological results suggested vasculitis. In all cases, elevated levels of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against peroxidase 3 (PR3-ANCA) were determined. Two patients presented rapid progression of the disease and died within 1 week and 2 months, respectively. Four other patients manifested gradual improvement of hearing and facial nerve function after treatment. Conclusion GPA should be included into differential diagnosis in all cases of persistent facial nerve palsy especially when otological symptoms coexist. Even localized GPA could be very aggressive, revelating generalized form of the disease. Rapid systemic treatment of GPA can protect hearing and facial nerve from permanent severe dysfunction. The ACR/EULAR 2017 provisional classification criteria for GPA seem to be valuable tool in diagnosing ENT patients with localized otological form of the disease.

Endoscopic Keyhole Approach for Intracranial Epidermoid

Objective In contemporary neurosurgical practice, keyhole endoscopic approach has established its role in various neurosurgical pathologies. Intracranial epidermoid is an ideal pathology for endoscopic keyhole approach as epidermoid is well encapsulated, extra-axial, avascular, and easily suckable. The objective of this study is to share our experience of endoscopic keyhole approach for intracranial epidermoids at various locations as a new minimally invasive neurosurgical approach to deal with these lesions. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective study on 26 patients who underwent keyhole pure endoscopic excision of intracranial epidermoid between July 2015 and December 2019. Patient's demographics, clinical features, radiological imaging, and postoperative complications were noted. Follow-up outcome of preoperative symptoms and postoperative complications were also analyzed. Results The mean age of the study population was 30.5 years with a mean follow-up of 30 months. The common presenting features were headache, hearing loss, and trigeminal neuralgic pain. Gross total resection was achieved in 73.1% cases, while near total resection and subtotal resection were achieved in 19.2 and 7.7% cases, respectively. In the follow-up, maximal improvement was seen in trigeminal neuralgic pain (83%) and headache (66.7%). Major postoperative complications were facial nerve paresis, lower cranial nerve paresis, and transient facial hypoesthesia, most of which improved over time. None of the patients required resurgery till date. Statistical Analysis Patients' data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, IBM, Chicago, United States). Conclusion This study demonstrates that with careful patient selection, endoscopic keyhole excision of epidermoid is a good alternative to conventional microsurgical excision with comparable surgical and functional outcomes.

Technique to “Trap” a Segment of the Middle Meningeal Artery for Embolization of a Carotid Cavernous Fistula: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Transvenous embolization is the favored treatment for indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). However, transarterial embolization can be used as an alternative method when the venous route is inaccessible. We present the case of a 47-yr-old woman with a history of diplopia, headaches, and sixth cranial nerve (CN-VI) palsy who presented with acute worsening of headache and ophthalmoplegia and rise of intraocular pressures. Angiography demonstrated a left indirect CCF (dural arteriovenous malformation) with multiple arterial feeders from the internal carotid artery as well as the middle meningeal artery (MMA) (Barrow type D). Transvenous approach was attempted first but was unsuccessful due to difficult access to the cavernous sinus. Thus, transarterial embolization through the MMA feeding branches was planned. To avoid occluding distal branches of the MMA by Onyx, we coiled it distally. In addition, we used a scepter balloon proximally to prevent the reflux of Onyx into potential collaterals to cranial nerves from proximal MMA. After trapping a segment of the MMA, Onyx was injected into the CCF fistula through the small MMA feeders. A postembolization arteriogram showed obliteration of the CCF. The patient developed mild left facial nerve paresis on the first postoperative day (thought to be related to partial embolization of tiny arteries in the facial canal), which was resolving in the course of hospitalization. She remained neurologically stable, and was discharged on the third postoperative day. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of transarterial embolization of CCF by distal coiling and proximal ballooning to trap a segment of an artery. The authors hereby confirm that informed consent was obtained from the patient after thorough discussion of the procedure's rationale, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

In Pursuit of Phrenic Nerve-Sparing Regional Anesthesia For Awake Shoulder Manipulation In Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis

Introduction. While interscalene brachial plexus block remains the gold standard of any shoulder procedure, including shoulder manipulation in patients with adhesive capsulitis, anesthesiologists are reluctant to face the risk of phrenic nerve paresis, especially in patients with preexisting pulmonary conditions. Hence, many studies have targeted specific regional anesthesia of the shoulder low enough by the blockade level, leaving phrenic nerve function intact but still providing satisfying anesthesia for shoulder procedures. Until recently, no comparison between these regional anesthesia techniques focusing on shoulder manipulation for adhesive capsulitis has been published. Case Report. We compared the profiles between suprascapular nerve block, shoulder interfascial plane block, and superior trunk block as the sole anesthesia technique in patients with adhesive capsulitis undergoing awake shoulder manipulation. Conclusion. This report descriptively signifies superior trunk block excellence among other regional anesthesia techniques in achieving complete anesthesia for awake shoulder manipulation in patients with adhesive capsulitis while sparing the phrenic-nerve function

Perbedaan Nilai The Clinic GBS Severity Evaluation Scale (CGSES) dan Skala Disabilitas Sindroma Guillain-Barre (SDSGB) pada Pasien Sindroma Guillian Barre dengan dan tanpa Imunoterapi

Background and objective: The Clinical GBS Severity Evaluation Scale (CGSES) was developed to determine immunotherapy of GBS patients more objectively. GBS Disability Scale (SDSGB) describes severity of GBS and assesses effectiveness of immunotherapy. Purpose of this study was to measure difference of CGSES and GBSDS in GBS patients with and without immunotherapy and to compare the suitability of subjective decisions with CGSES. Subject and Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional analytic observational study retrospectively in GBS patients from January 2015-March 2020 hospitalized at Dr Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung. Results: There were 92 subjects (35 with and 57 without immunotherapy). Mean age was 41.5 years, and male:female ratio was 57.6%:42.4%. There were no differences in demographics and physical examination between two groups, except for cranial nerve paresis (62.9% vs. 33.3%; p=0.006). There was a difference in mean length of stay with and without immunotherapy (29.5 ± 34.4 vs. 11.4 ± 4.1 days, p=0.0001). Results of the CGSES assessment with and without immunotherapy had a significant difference (p=0.035). There were significant differences in GBSDS at admission and discharge with (p=0.007) and without immunotherapy (p=0.025). There was a discrepancy between subjective decisions and CGSES value (Kappa value 0.117; 95% CI 0.021-0.213). Conclusion: There were differences in CGSES and GBSDS in group of GBS patients with and without immunotherapy. There was a discrepancy between subjective assessment of decision to give immunotherapy with CGSES scoring.