Facial Arterial Variations in Asians: A Study on Computed Tomographic Angiography

Background A consensus on facial artery (FA) anatomy has not been established due to the discrepancies in previous studies. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the branches, course, and location of the FA in Asians utilizing computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Methods The CTA images of 300 FAs from 150 Asian patients were evaluated. According to the termination branch, the FA was classified as follows: type 1, FA terminates superior labial or inferior labial artery; type 2: FA terminates lateral nasal or inferior alar artery; type 3: FA terminates medial canthal artery; type 4: FA is divided into duplex branches with dominant medial canthal artery laterally. The relationship between nasolabial fold and FA was evaluated, and the distances from anatomical landmarks to FA were measured to position the course. Results 70 arteries (23.3%), 163 arteries (54.3%), 49 arteries (16.3%), and the other 18 arteries (6.0%) were classified as type 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. 72.3% of FAs were located medially to the nasolabial fold, and only 14.7% of arteries were lateral to the nasolabial fold. The vertical distance between FA and the inner canthus or the midpoint of inferior orbital rim decreased from type 1 to type 4 FA (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found among the four types of FA in the distances between the mandibular angle (P = 0.1226) or oral commissure (P = 0.1030) and the FA at inferior of mandible. Conclusions The detailed findings of facial artery will provide a valuable reference for filler injection in cosmetic procedures and flap design in reconstructive surgery.

Effect of an Intensified Combined Electromyography and Visual Feedback Training on Facial Grading in Patients With Post-paralytic Facial Synkinesis

Background: There is no current standard for facial synkinesis rehabilitation programs. The benefit and stability of effect of an intensified 10-day facial training combining electromyography and visual biofeedback training was evaluated.Methods: Fifty-four patients (77.8% female; median age: 49.5 years) with post-paralytic facial synkinesis (median time to onset of paralysis: 31.1 months) were included in retrospective longitudinal study between January 2013 and June 2016. Facial function was assesses at baseline (T0), first days of training (T1), last day of training (T2), and follow-up visit (T3) at a median time of 6 months later using the House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve grading system, Stennert index (SI), Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 (FNGS 2.0), and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS). Pairwise comparisons between the time points with post-hoc Bonferroni correction were performed.Results: No significant changes of the gradings and subscores were seen between T0 and T1 (all p > 0.01). The 10-day combined and intensified feedback training between T1 and T2 improved facial symmetry and decreased synkinetic activity. Facial grading with the FNGS 2.0 or the SFGS were most suited to depict the training effect. FNGS 2.0, regional score, FNGS 2.0, synkinesis score, and FNGS 2.0 total score improved significantly (all p ≤ 0.0001). Both, the FNGS 2.0 and the SFGS showed the strongest improvement in the nasolabial fold/zygomatic and the oral region. Neither the age of the patient (r = 0.168; p = 0.224), the gender (r = 0.126; p = 0.363) nor the length of the interval between onset of the palsy and training start (r = 0.011; p = 0.886) correlated with the changes of the SFGS between T1 and T2. The results remained stable between T2 and T3 without any further significant change.Conclusion: Intensified daily combined electromyography and visual biofeedback training over 10 days was effective in patients with facial synkinesis and benefits were stable 6 months after therapy.

Case Presentation - Biventricular Hypertrophy and Valvular Pulmonary Stenosis in Adult Patient with Noonan Syndrome: A Rare Case

Introduction: Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic disorder often accompanied by multiple congenital abnormalities. The prevalence of NS at live birth has been reported as one in 1000-2500 individuals. About 80% of patients with Noonan syndrome have abnormalities in the cardiovascular system.Case presentation:41-year-old Javanese male presented with chief complaint shortness of breath. His Body Mass Index (BMI) was 18,3. He had an oval-shaped face with a short neck, thin hair, and prominent nasolabial fold. Echocardiography showed biventricular hypertrophy alongside pulmonary valve stenosis, pulmonary regurgitation and minimal pericardial effusion. Discussion: In 1962, Jacqueline Noonan, a pediatric cardiologist, identified 9 patients whose faces were very similar, had short stature, significant chest deformities, and with pulmonary stenosis. Noonan syndrome is a relatively common non-chromosomal syndrome that is similar to the phenotype of Turner's syndrome and presents with cardiovascular malformations. Adult with NS has distinctive facial features such as ptosis, wide eyes, low posterior rotation of ears and helical thickening, and a wide neck.Pulmonary stenosis is the most common heartdefect found in NS, besides HCM isalsoquitecommon inabout20% of patients. We reported a case of a patient with typical characteristics of NS such as pulmonary valve stenosis accompanied by biventricular ventricular hypertrophyand its typical face who survived through adulthood.Conclusion: Syndrome Noonan in the adult is quite rare and difficult to diagnose. We reported a case of an adult man with facial appearance and echocardiographic findings identical with Noonan Syndrome.

Bell’s Palsy Associated with COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

The COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. This novel infectious disease may also trigger a vast range of neurological involvements. The current report describes a case of COVID-19 complicated with Bell’s palsy. A 64-year-old woman with diabetes was admitted due to abrupt left hemifacial weakness. On examination, her left hemifacial expression ability was impaired so that her face seemed asymmetrical during smiling, and numbness around the left nasolabial fold was detected. Furthermore, her ability to wink was impaired, and her eyebrow drooped. A brain computed tomography (CT) scan did not show any abnormalities. A lung CT scan was performed, which demonstrated bilateral ground-glass opacity (GGO), along with RT-PCR results indicative of COVID-19. A diagnosis of Bell’s palsy in the setting of COVID-19 infection was made. She received antiviral agents and corticosteroids. At two week follow-up, her symptoms had improved. During the COVID-19 epidemic, any newly occurred neurological involvement raises the suspicion of COVID-19 infection.