Parálisis facial alternobárica: a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Alternobaric facial palsy: case report and literature review

La parálisis o paresia facial alternobárica es una neuropraxia del séptimo nervio cra-neal debido a cambios de presión. Se produce en el contexto de una disfunción de la trompa de Eustaquio, una dehiscencia canal del nervio facial y cambios en la presión atmosférica. Se considera una rara complicación de barotrauma. Su prevalencia es difícil de estimar y, probablemente, se encuentre subreportada. La forma de presentación más habitual incluye paresia facial, plenitud aural, hipoacusia, otalgia, parestesias faciales y linguales. La mayoría de los episodios son transitorios, con una duración entre minutos y algunas horas, con recuperación posterior completa. Entre los diagnósticos diferenciales se encuentran causas periféricas y centrales de paresia facial, las cuales hay que sospechar ante la persistencia de los síntomas en el tiempo o ante la presencia de otros signos o síntomas neurológicos. La evaluación inicial debe incluir un examen otoneurológico completo. La tomografía computarizada de hueso temporal favorece la visualización de posibles dehiscencias del canal del facial. La prevención de nuevos episodios incluye la práctica de ecualización efectiva, la resolución de la disfunción de la trompa de Eustaquio y en algunos casos específicos, métodos alternativos de ventilación del oído medio como la colocación de tubos de ventilación. Una vez instalada la parálisis facial, si no se produce recuperación espontánea, el uso de corticoides es una opción. Se presenta un caso de paresia facial alternobárica recurrente y una revisión de literatura.

Alternobaric facial palsy or paralysis is a neuropraxia of the seventh cranial nerve due to pressure changes. It occurs in the context of Eustachian tube dysfunction, facial nerve canal dehiscence, and changes in atmospheric pressure. It is considered a rare complication of barotrauma. Its prevalence is difficult to estimated, and this condition is probably underreported. The most common form of presentation includes facial weakness, ear fullness or pressure, hearing loss, otalgia, facial and lingual paresthesias. Most episodes are transient, lasting from minutes to a few hours, with a subsequent complete recovery. Among the possible differential diagnoses are peripheral and central causes of facial paralysis, which must be suspected due to the persistence of symptoms over time or the presence of other neurological signs or symptoms. The initial evaluation should include a complete otoneurological examination. Computed tomography of the temporal bone is useful for the visualization of facial canal dehiscence. Prevention of further episodes includes practicing effective equalization, Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment, and in certain specific cases, alternative middle ear ventilation methods such as tympanostomy tubes. Once facial paralysis is established, if spontaneous recovery does not occur, the use of corticosteroids is considered an option. A case of recurrent alternobaric facial paresis and a review of the literature are presented.

Estudo topográfico dos giros e sulcos e do nervo facial em cadáveres de fetos humanos / Topographic study of gyri, sulci and facial nerve in human fetus corps / Estudio topográfico de giros, surcos y nervios faciales en cadáveres de fetos humanos

Introdução: Durante o desenvolvimento do encéfalo há formação de sulcos e giros que podem sofrer alterações morfológicas similarmente ao nervo facial (NC VII) que possui funções sensitivas e motoras e sua lesão pode gerar prejuízos clínicos e estéticos. Na literatura há informações sobre essas estruturas em adultos, porém pouco definidas em fetos. Objetivo: Descrever os giros e sulcos e o trajeto do NC VII em cadáveres de fetos humanos. Métodos: Selecionou-se sete fetos humanos, de ambos os sexos, do acervo do Laboratório de Anatomia da UFMS CPTL. Realizou-se três etapas: avaliação da idade fetal, dissecação e descrição anatômica. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAEE: 75069617.5.0000.5386 2022. Resultados: observou-se na face dorsolateral sulcos frontal superior e médio e pós-central, temporal superior e inferior, circular da ínsula e central da ínsula. Há giro pré-central, pós-central, temporais, superior inferior e médio. Na face medial há sulco do cíngulo duplo, paracentral, parieto occipital e giro frontal superior. Em todos os fetos, há o tronco do NC VII e seus ramos perfurando o parênquima da glândula parótida na região infratemporal antes da divisão em ramos pela face Conclusão: A topografia dos giros e sulcos dos fetos é fundamental para identificar precocemente malformações corticais. Somado a isso, o estudo morfológico do NC VII poderá fomentar estudos futuros, haja vista que são poucos os registros a respeito das características deste nervo em fetos.

Introduction: In the development of the brain there are grooves and gyri that undergo morphological changes, similarly the facial nerve (CN VII) has sensory and motor functions and its injury generates clinical and aesthetic damage. In the literature there is information about these structures in adults, but little defined in fetuses. Objective: To describe the gyri and sulci and the course of CN VII in fetal cadavers. Methods: Seven human fetuses of both sexes were selected from the collection of the Anatomy Laboratory of the UFMS CPTL. Three steps were performed: assessment of fetal age, dissection and anatomical description. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAEE 75069617.5.0000.5386. Results: in the studied brains, superior and medium frontal and postcentral, superior and inferior temporal, insula circular and insula central grooves were observed on the dorsolateral surface. There are precentral, postcentral, temporal, superior, inferior, and middle gyrus. On the medial surface there is the double cingulate sulcus, paracentral, parieto occipital and superior frontal gyrus. In all fetuses, there is the trunk of CN VII and its branches piercing the parotid gland parenchyma in the infratemporal region before dividing into branches across the face. Conclusion: The topography of the gyri and sulcus of fetuses is essential for early identification of cortical malformations. Added to this, the morphological study of CN VII may encourage future studies, given that there are few records regarding the characteristics of this nerve in fetuses.

Introducción: En el desarrollo del cerebro existen surcos y circunvoluciones que sufren cambios morfológicos, de igual manera el nervio facial (NC VII) tiene funciones sensoriales y motoras y su lesión genera daño clínico y estético. En la literatura existe información sobre estas estructuras en adultos, pero poco definidas en fetos. Objetivo: Describir las circunvoluciones y surcos y el curso del NC VII en cadáveres fetales. Métodos: Siete fetos humanos, de ambos sexos, fueron seleccionados de la colección del Laboratorio de Anatomía de la UFMS CPTL. Se realizaron tres pasos: evaluación de la edad fetal, disección y descripción anatómica. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación, CAEE 75069617.5.0000.5386. Resultados: en los cerebros estudiados, se observaron surcos en la superficie dorsolateral frontal superior y medio y poscentral, temporal superior e inferior, insular circular e insular central. Hay circunvolución precentral, poscentral, temporal, superior, inferior y media. En la superficie medial se encuentra el doble surco cingulado, paracentral, parieto occipital y giro frontal superior. En todos los fetos, el tronco del NC VII y sus ramas perforan el parénquima de la glándula parótida en la región infratemporal antes de dividirse en ramas a lo largo de la cara. Conclusión: La topografía de las circunvoluciones y surcos de los fetos es fundamental para la identificación temprana de malformaciones corticales. Sumado a esto, el estudio morfológico del NC VII puede alentar futuros estudios, dado que existen pocos registros sobre las características de este nervio en fetos.

Melkersson-rosenthal: reporte de caso clínico de una neurodermatosis infrecuente / Melkersson-rosenthal syndrome: case report of an uncommon neurodermatosis

Resumen: El síndrome de Melkersson-Rosenthal (SMR) es una entidad clínica rara, de patogénesis desconocida. Se manifiesta característicamente por edema orofacial recidivante, lengua fisurada y parálisis recurrente del nervio facial. Representando así undesafío diagnóstico y terapéutico, además de generar importante compromiso social al individuo acometido. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo describir el caso de un paciente de 15años de edad que presentó: edema labial, lengua fisurada y queilitis granulomatosa al examen histopatológico, llevándose a consideración la hipótesis del síndrome citado, con resultados satisfactorios al tratamiento establecido.

Abstract: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare clinical entity with an unknown pathogenesis. It clinically manifests in orofacial edema, plicated tongue and recurrent paralysis of the facial nerve. It represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and has an important psycosocial impact on the affected individual. This study describes the case of a 15-year-old patient who presented with labial edema, plicated tongue and granulomatous cheilitis on histopathological examination, for which a diagnosis of MRS was proposed. The patient showed a good response to treatment.

Efficacy of facial acupoint injection combined with nerve block in treating hemifacial spasm / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of facial acupoint injection combined with nerve block in treating hemifacial spasm. Methods Fifty?four patients of both sexes, aged 26-73 yr, with the course of disease 6 months-17 yr from February 2015 to January 2016, were included in this study accord?ing to diagnostic criteria for hemifacial spasm based on expert consensus in 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups(n=27 each)using a random number table: facial acupoint injection combined with nerve block group(group A)and nerve block group(group B). In group A, the mixed injection 2 ml(2% lidocaine hydrochloride 5 ml, compound betamethasone 1 ml, mecobalamin 1 mg, diluted to 18 ml in normal sa?line)was given at facial Sibai, Jiachengjiang, Xiaguan and Yifeng acupoints once every 5 days, 3 times in total;facial nerve block was performed via the stylomastoid foramen with the mixed injection(5 ml) previously described once every 5 days, 3 times in total;stellate ganglion block was performed on the right and left side alternately once a day, 5 times on each side. In group B, patients received facial nerve block and stellate ganglion block, and no facial acupoint injection was applied. The Cohen rating and Shorr out?come were recorded before treatment and at 10th day, 3rd month and 1 yr after treatment, and the recur?rence was recorded at 3 months and 1 yr after treatment. Results Compared with group B, Cohen classifi?cation was significantly decreased, and the effective rate was increased at 10th day, 3rd month and 1 yr af?ter treatment, and the recurrence rate was decreased at 3 months and 1 yr after treatment in group A(P<0.05). Conclusion The facial acupoint injection combined with nerve block produces better long?term ef?ficacy in treating hemifacial spasm than nerve block alone.

Application of contrast-enhanced MRI and curved planar reformation in facial neuritis / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced MRI and curved planar reformation (CPR) in diagnosis of facial neuritis.Methods Contrast-enhanced MRI scans were performed on 30 patients with facial neuritis.The involvement of intracranial facial nerve was observed,and the signal intensity of facial nerve and adjacent temporal lobe was measured with GE AW 4.5 workstation.While the signal intensity ratio (SIR) between facial nerve and adjacent temporal lobe was calculated.CPR of facial nerve was done with Philips EBW workstation,in order to observe the whole course and involvement of facial nerve.Results Among the 30 patients,SIR of affected geniculate ganglion,tympanic segment,labyrinthine segment,internal auditory meatus segment and mastoid segment was 1.59±0.28,1.16±0.16,1.38±0.20,1.30 ±0.19 and 0.96±0.14,respectively.While SIR of the relevant segment in contralateral side was 1.08±±0.19,0.74±0.13,0.81±0.13,0.83±0.08 and 0.69±0.12,respectively.There were significant differences of SIR between the affected and the contralateral segments (all P＜0.001).CPR could display the involved location and facilitate visualizing the whole course of facial nerve clearly.Conclusion Contrast-enhanced MRI and CPR are helpful to facilitate visualizing the whole course of facial nerve and clearly reveal the involvement.

Progressive Bilateral Facial Palsy as a Manifestation of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Case Report

Bilateral facial palsy, which is usually combined with other diseases, occurs infrequently. It may imply a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of bilateral facial palsy is important. However, the etiology is variable, which makes diagnosis challenging. We report a rare case of progressive bilateral facial palsy as a manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). A 40-year-old male with otitis media and right facial palsy was referred for electroneurography (ENoG), which showed a 7.7% ENoG. Left facial palsy occurred after 2 weeks, and multiple cavitary opacities were noted on chest images. GPA was diagnosed by lung biopsy. His symptoms deteriorated and mononeuropathy multiplex developed. The possibility of systemic disease, such as GPA, should be considered in patients presenting with bilateral facial palsy, the differential diagnosis of which is summarized in this report.

Diagnosis and treatment of facial nerve hemangioma / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo study clinical features and imaging manifestations of facial nerve hemangioma. METHODSClinical data of 5 cases with facial nerve hemangioma, who were diagnosed and treated in facial lab of Beijing Shijitan hospital between January 2006 and December 2011, were collected. There were 2 male and 3 female. The age ranged from 29-44 years. Among the 5 cases with facial nerve hemangioma, both HRCT of temporal bone and facial nerve enhancement MRI were performed on 4 cases, and one case underwent facial nerve enhancement MRI examination only.RESULTSAll the 5 cases firstly presented with sudden unilateral facial palsy. Facial palsy affected the left and right side in 4 cases and 1 case, respectively. Geniculate ganglion was affected in all cases. Local bony canal expansion at geniculate ganglion, labyrinthine segment and horizontal segment was the main manifestation of facial nerve hemangioma on HRCT, and the surrounding bone was incontinuous and less regular. The typical appearance was point-shape or pin-shape, similar to honeycomb structure. On MRI, soft tissue node image around geniculate ganglion accompanied by thickness of the adjacent facial nerve was the chief appearance. It showed mixed T1, uneven and slightly longer T2 signal with less clear border on horizontal scanning, and abnormal enhancement was exhibited after enhancement scanning.CONCLUSIONDetailed history together with HRCT of temporal bone and multi-planar reconstruction MPR as well as facial nerve enhancement MRI were useful for preoperative diagnosis of facial nerve hemangioma. The tumor should be removed with surgical approach was based on hearing conditions, tumor scale and the affected sites.in order to preserve integrity of facial nerve if possible.

Paralisia facial: análise epidemiológica em hospital de reabilitação / Facial paralysis: epidemiological analysis in a rehabilitation hospital

INTRODUÇÃO: A paralisia facial é a perda temporária ou permanente dos movimentos da mímica facial em decorrência do acometimento do nervo facial. São vários os fatores que influenciam a evolução das lesões do nervo facial. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos e a frequência de sequelas após paralisia facial em um serviço de reabilitação. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo dos pacientes com paralisia facial atendidos em hospital de reabilitação no período de janeiro de 2001 a janeiro de 2005. As sequelas foram avaliadas quanto a sexo, idade, etiologia, graduação funcional conforme a escala de House-Brackmann, tempo de evolução, seguimento e intervenções cirúrgicas. Para realização da análise estatística utilizou-se o programa Epi-Info versão 3.2.2. RESULTADOS: Foram admitidos para programa de reabilitação 285 pacientes portadores de paralisia facial, sendo 157 do sexo masculino e 128 do feminino. Todos os pacientes se submeteram a programa de reabilitação e 29 (10,2 por cento), a cirurgia. Dentre os pacientes analisados, 80 por cento foram admitidos a partir da terceira semana do surgimento da paralisia, e 121 (42,5 por cento) tiveram recuperação gradual em 3 meses, espontaneamente, com tratamento clínico ou fisioterápico. Por outro lado, 119 (41,8 por cento) pacientes permaneceram com paralisia facial parcial ou completa e irreversível. CONCLUSÕES: Os casos admitidos foram mais frequentes em pacientes com menos de 20 anos de idade, com causas diversas e quando admitidos em graus menores segundo a escala de House-Brackmann, pois muitos deles se associavam a déficits neurológicos consequentes a paralisia facial de origem central ou congênita.

BACKGROUND: Facial paralysis is characterized by permanent or temporary loss of facial expression due to facial nerve injury. Several factors influence the development of facial nerve lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological aspects and incidence of sequelae after facial paralysis at a rehabilitation institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of facial paralysis patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital between January 2001 and January 2005. Sequelae were analyzed according to gender, age, etiology, functional status as measured by the House-Brackmann scale, evaluation time, follow-up, and surgical procedures. Statistical analyses were performed with Epi-info 3.2.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 285 facial paralysis patients, 157 male and 128 female, were admitted for a rehabilitation program. All subjects followed a rehabilitation program, and 29 (10.2 percent) underwent surgery; 80 percent were admitted during the 3rd week of the paralysis or later, and 121 (42.5 percent) showed gradual recovery after 3 months, either spontaneously or after clinical or physical therapies. Nevertheless, 119 (41.8 percent) sustained irreversible partial or complete facial paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of facial paralysis was greater among patients younger than 20 years. Among these patients, paralysis had different causes, and these patients were admitted with lower House-Brackmann grades. Most cases were associated with neurological deficits leading to facial paralysis of central or congenital origin.

Ultraestrutura do nervo facial intratemporal em pacientes com paralisia facial idiopática: estudo de evidências de infecção viral / Intratemporal facial nerve ultrastructure in patients with idiopathic facial paralysis: viral infection evidence study

A etiologia da paralisia facial periférica idiopática (PFPI) ainda é uma incógnita, no entanto, alguns autores aventam a possibilidade de ser uma infecção viral. OBJETIVO: Analisar a ultraestrutura do nervo facial procurando evidências virais que possam nos fornecer dados etiológicos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram estudados 20 pacientes com PFP, com graus de moderado a severo, de ambos os sexos, entre 18-60 anos, provenientes de Ambulatório de Distúrbios do Nervo Facial. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Estudo, onze pacientes com PFPI e Controle, nove pacientes com Paralisia Facial Periférica Traumática ou Tumoral. Foram estudados fragmentos de bainha do nervo facial ou fragmentos de seus cotos, que durante a cirurgia de reparação do nervo facial, seriam desprezados ou encaminhados para estudo anatomopatológico. O tecido foi fixado em glutaraldeído 2 por cento e analisado em Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão. RESULTADO: Observamos no grupo estudo atividade celular intensa de reparação com aumento de fibras colágenas, fibroblastos com organelas desenvolvidas, isentos de partículas virais. No grupo controle esta atividade de reparação não foi evidente, mas também não foram observadas partículas virais. CONCLUSÃO: Não foram encontradas partículas virais, no entanto, houve evidências de intensa atividade de reparação ou infecção viral.

The etiology of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP) is still uncertain; however, some authors suggest the possibility of a viral infection. AIM: to analyze the ultrastructure of the facial nerve seeking viral evidences that might provide etiological data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 20 patients with peripheral facial palsy (PFP), with moderate to severe FP, of both genders, between 18-60 years of age, from the Clinic of Facial Nerve Disorders. The patients were broken down into two groups - Study: eleven patients with IPFP and Control: nine patients with trauma or tumor-related PFP. The fragments were obtained from the facial nerve sheath or from fragments of its stumps - which would be discarded or sent to pathology exam during the facial nerve repair surgery. The removed tissue was fixed in 2 percent glutaraldehyde, and studied under Electronic Transmission Microscopy. RESULTS: In the study group we observed an intense repair cellular activity by increased collagen fibers, fibroblasts containing developed organelles, free of viral particles. In the control group this repair activity was not evident, but no viral particles were observed. CONCLUSION: There were no viral particles, and there were evidences of intense activity of repair or viral infection.

CT and MRI diagnosis of facial nerve neuroma / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of facial neuroma to promote diagnostic accuracy. Methods Nine facial neuromas consisted of 8 schwannoma and 1 neurofibroma. High resolution CT were performed on 7 cases, routinal CT scan on 2 patients. Six cases were examined by MRI, in which 5 cases were used constrast media. Results Five tumors on right side and 4 on left were detected. The tumor affected the internal auditory canal segment of facial nerve in 1 case, labyrinth segment in 4, anterior genu in 6, tympanum segment in 7, mastoid segment in 6,horizontal segment in 5 and parotid segment in 3. CT demonstrated enlargement of the facial nerve canal, benign bone remodeling in the location of geniculate ganglion and stripe soft issue along the course of facial nerve. MRI found that involved facial nerve became thickened markedly as a stripe or soft mass by several segments, that were isointense to brain on T 1WI and isointense or hyperintense on T 2WI and enhanced obviously. Conclusion The segmental soft tissue mass along the facial nerve course is the characteristic of facial neuroma. Gadolinium enhanced MRI is an effective method for detecting the lesion.

CT and MRI diagnosis of facial nerve neuroma(report of 6 cases) / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of CT and MRI in diagnosing facial nerve neuroma. Methods The CT and MRI findings of facial nerve neuroma proved by surgery and pathology in 6 cases were retrospectively analysed. Results Four of the six facial nerve neuroma only affected intratemporal segment of facial nerve (labyrinthine segment 1, tympanic segment 2, mastoid and tympanic segment 1), one involved the cerebellopontine angle(CPA) cistern, internal anditory canal(IAC) and intratemporal segment and last one involved both the intratemporal segment and the intraparotid gland segment. The imaging manifestations of the tumor depended on its location and extension. On CT, the tumors of intratemporal segment showed enlargement and destruction of facial nerve canal, soft tissue mass in the middle ear and /or in the mastoid, erosion of the aterior surface of the petrous bone at the level of the geniculate ganglion fossa, and extension to the middle cranial fossas and intraparotid gland. One neuroma arising from IAC and cisternal segments demonstrated a mass in the CPA, widening of the IAC, enlargement of the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve canal, and extension to geniculate ganglion fossa by CT and MRI. Conclusion CT and MRI are accurate to describe the extent and location of facial nerve neuroma. CT is better to demonstrate the osseous destruction in detail, whereas enhanced MRI evaluates the tumor itself more accurately.