Parotidectomy-related facial nerve lesions: proposal for a modified Sunnybrook Facial Grading System / Lesões do nervo facial relacionadas à parotidectomia: proposta de um sistema Sunnybrook de graduação facial modificado

ABSTRACT Facial nerve injury, affecting mainly the marginal mandibular branch, is the most frequent neurologic complication from parotidectomy. Objective To test a modified Sunnybrook Facial Grading System as a new tool to assess the facial nerve function following parotidectomy, emphasizing the marginal mandibular branch. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 73 post-parotidectomy patients (40 female, 18-84 years old, mean age 53.2 years) with facial nerve sparing, referred to the Department of Physical Therapy. All patients had parotid neoplasms or advanced skin cancer, and were followed by the principal author between 2006 and 2014. Results The muscles innervated by the marginal mandibular branch were the most frequently affected (72.6%), particularly in patients undergoing neck dissection (p = 0.023). The voluntary movement scores obtained with the modified system were significantly lower compared with the original version (p < 0.001). The best and worst scores were observed in patients with benign parotid tumors and skin cancer, respectively. Patients requiring neck dissection (p = 0.031) and resection of other structures (p = 0.021) had the lowest scores, evidenced only with the modified version. Patients with malignant tumors had significantly worse ratings, regardless of the Sunnybrook system version. The post-physiotherapy analysis involved 50 patients. The worst facial rehabilitation outcomes were related to the marginal mandibular branch function. Conclusion The modified Sunnybrook Facial Grading System improved the marginal mandibular branch assessment, preserving the evaluation of other facial nerve branches.

RESUMO A lesão do nervo facial é a principal complicação neurológica relacionada às parotidectomias e, em geral, o ramo marginal mandibular é o mais frequentemente acometido. Objetivo Testar um Sistema Sunnybrook de Graduação Facial modificado (mS-FGS) como uma nova ferramenta para avaliar a função do nervo facial após a parotidectomia, enfatizando o ramo marginal mandibular. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo, baseado em prontuários de 73 casos (40 do sexo feminino, 18-84 anos, idade média = 53,2), submetidos à parotidectomia, com preservação do nervo facial. Todos os pacientes apresentavam neoplasias parotídeas ou câncer de pele avançado, e foram tratados pela autora principal entre 2006 e 2014. Resultados Neste estudo, os músculos inervados pelo ramo marginal mandibular foram os mais acometidos (72,6% dos casos), principalmente nos pacientes que realizaram esvaziamento cervical (p = 0,023). Os Escores de Movimento Voluntário obtidos pelo sistema modificado foram inferiores aos obtidos pelo original (p < 0,001). As melhores pontuações foram observadas em pacientes com tumores benignos parotídeos e os piores resultados, naqueles com câncer de pele. Pacientes que necessitaram de esvaziamento cervical e ressecção de outras estruturas, além da parótida, apresentaram escores menores (p = 0,031 e p = 0,021), evidenciados apenas pelo sistema modificado. Os tumores malignos geraram escores significativamente menores, independentemente do instrumento empregado. A análise pós fisioterapia envolveu 50 casos. Os piores resultados, após a intervenção fisioterapêutica, também foram observados nos músculos inervados pelo ramo marginal mandibular. Conclusão A avaliação da disfunção facial pós-parotidectomia, através do Sistema Sunnybrook com a modificação proposta permitiu uma apreciação mais detalhada do ramo marginal mandibular, sem prejuízo à avaliação dos demais ramos.

The Contribution of Surface Electromyographic Assessment for Defining the Stage of Peripheral Facial Paralysis: Flaccid or Sequelae Stage

Abstract Introduction Surface electromyographic activity may not be symmetric, even in subjects with no facial paralysis history. Objective To evaluate the contribution of the index of electromyographic (IEMG) activity in the identification of the two extremes of the facial paralysis course. Methods Thirty-four subjects with unilateral peripheral facial paralysis were selected. A control group was composed of volunteers without a history of facial paralysis. The electromyographic assessment of the facial muscle was performed by placing surface electrodes during movements of the forehead, eyes and lips using MIOTEC equipment, such as the MIOTOOL (Miotec, Porto Alegre, Brazil) software. The electromyographic activity was also recorded in other channels during the primary activity to identify the presence of synkinesis. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Macintosh (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). The IEMG activity was obtained from the division of the electromyographic activity root mean square (RMS) values on both sides. Results There was a statistically significant difference among the groups in all the analyzed indexes. The ocular-oral synkinesis in all patients must be correctly identified (with 100% sensitivity and specificity) using an IEMG activity of 1.62 as a cutoff point. The oral-ocular synkinesis must be correctly identified (93.3% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity) using the IEMG activity of 1.79 as a cutoff point. Conclusion The IEMG activity is below the normal scores in patients in the flaccid stage, whereas patients in the sequelae stage can either show normal values or values above or below the normal scores. The IEMG activity was shown to have high sensitivity and specificity in the identification of synkinesis.

Avaliação da sensibilidade da Escala Psicossocial de Aparência Facial na paralisia facial periférica / Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance in peripheral facial paralysis

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a sensibilidade e consistência interna do instrumento a partir da comparação com os resultados dos instrumentos de avaliação funcional facial, escala de House-Brackmann (HBS) e Sistema de Graduação Facial, e implicações psicossociais a partir da aplicação da Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS). Método Pesquisa aprovada pelo comitê de ética em pesquisa, sob o protocolo nº. 196.977 e 230.982. A avaliação da sensibilidade do questionário foi realizada por meio de entrevistas fechadas em sujeitos adultos com PFP, sendo 38 selecionados para essa etapa. A análise estatística foi realizada para cada uma das etapas deste estudo, os dados foram digitados em Excel®, analisados pelos programas SPSS versão 17.0 para Windows e AMOS versão 22.0 para Windows®. Resultados Participaram 38 sujeitos, entre 19 e 78 anos, com predominância de paralisia idiopática (44,7%). Os resultados do Alfa de Cronbach mostraram uma consistência interna forte entre os grupos temáticos e as questões, no entanto a análise fatorial confirmatória alerta para questões cuja relação de causa entre os grupos temáticos foi fraca, como nos casos das questões 5 e 6 do grupo temático Aspectos Funcionais da Face, questão 17 dos Aspectos Sociais e questão 23 dos Aspectos Emocionais. Conclusão Essa pesquisa constituiu os primeiros passos para o subsídio e respaldo de um instrumento que investiga os aspectos psicossociais associados à PFP, sendo possível a elaboração de questões e ordenação em grupos temáticos. Porém, faz-se necessária a continuidade de estudos para a efetivação dos processos de validação.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the sensitivity and internal consistency of the Psychosocial Scale of Facial Appearance (PSFA) based on the comparison between its results and those from other facial functional assessment instruments: House-Brackmann scale (HBS) and Facial Grading System - and the psychosocial implications measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Methods The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the aforementioned Institution under protocols no. 196.977 and 230.982. Thirty-eight adult individuals with Peripheral Facial Palsy (PFP) were submitted to closed interviews in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted for each stage of this study. Data were entered in Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 and AMOS 22.0 for Windows®. Results Study participants were 38 individuals with PFP aged 19-78 years with predominance of idiopathic paralysis (44.7%). Results of the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient showed strong internal consistency between the thematic groups and the questions; however, Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated some questions with week causal relationship between thematic groups, namely, questions 5 and 6 of the group Functional Aspects of Face, question 17 of the group Social Aspects, and question 23 of the group Emotional Aspects. Conclusion This study provided the first steps for the subsidy and support of an instrument designed to investigate the psychosocial aspects associated with PFP, enabling the preparation of questions and their organization into thematic groups. However, further studies are needed to conclude the validation processes.

Alteraciones de las células de la microglía del sistema nervioso central provocadas por lesiones del nervio facial / Facial nerve injuries cause changes in central nervous system microglial cells

Resumen Introducción. El grupo de investigación del Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Comportamental de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia ha descrito modificaciones estructurales y electrofisiológicas en neuronas piramidales de la corteza motora producidas por la lesión del nervio facial contralateral en ratas. Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre la posibilidad de que dichos cambios neuronales se acompañen también de modificaciones en las células gliales circundantes. Objetivo. Caracterizar el efecto de la lesión unilateral del nervio facial sobre la activación y proliferación de las células de la microglía en la corteza motora primaria contralateral en ratas. Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron pruebas de inmunohistoquímica para detectar las células de la microglía en el tejido cerebral de ratas sometidas a lesión del nervio facial, las cuales se sacrificaron en distintos momentos después de la intervención. Se infligieron dos tipos de lesiones: reversible (por compresión, lo cual permite la recuperación de la función) e irreversible (por corte, lo cual provoca parálisis permanente). Los tejidos cerebrales de los animales sin lesión (grupo de control absoluto) y de aquellos sometidos a falsa cirugía se compararon con los de los animales lesionados sacrificados 1, 2, 7, 21 y 35 días después de la lesión. Resultados. Las células de la microglía en la corteza motora de los animales lesionados irreversiblemente mostraron signos de proliferación y activación entre el tercero y séptimo días después de la lesión. La proliferación de las células de la microglía en animales con lesión reversible fue significativa solo a los tres días de infligida la lesión. Conclusiones. La lesión del nervio facial produce modificaciones en las células de la microglía de la corteza motora primaria. Estas modificaciones podrían estar involucradas en los cambios morfológicos y electrofisiológicos descritos en las neuronas piramidales de la corteza motora que comandan los movimientos faciales.

Abstract Introduction: Our research group has described both morphological and electrophysiological changes in motor cortex pyramidal neurons associated with contralateral facial nerve injury in rats. However, little is known about those neural changes, which occur together with changes in surrounding glial cells. Objective: To characterize the effect of the unilateral facial nerve injury on microglial proliferation and activation in the primary motor cortex. Materials and methods: We performed immunohistochemical experiments in order to detect microglial cells in brain tissue of rats with unilateral facial nerve lesion sacrificed at different times after the injury. We caused two types of lesions: reversible (by crushing, which allows functional recovery), and irreversible (by section, which produces permanent paralysis). We compared the brain tissues of control animals (without surgical intervention) and sham-operated animals with animals with lesions sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 21 or 35 days after the injury. Results: In primary motor cortex, the microglial cells of irreversibly injured animals showed proliferation and activation between three and seven days post-lesion. The proliferation of microglial cells in reversibly injured animals was significant only three days after the lesion. Conclusions: Facial nerve injury causes changes in microglial cells in the primary motor cortex. These modifications could be involved in the generation of morphological and electrophysiological changes previously described in the pyramidal neurons of primary motor cortex that command facial movements.

Paralisia facial periférica: atividade muscular em diferentes momentos da doença / Peripheral facial palsy: muscle activity in different onset times

RESUMO Objetivo : Avaliar, por meio da eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs), a atividade dos músculos risório e zigomático, durante a produção do sorriso voluntário, comparando os dados em dois grupos de indivíduos com tempos diferentes de início da paralisia facial periférica (PFP). Métodos : 140 adultos distribuídos em três grupos: G1 (35 indivíduos com início da PFP entre 0 e 3 meses); G2 (35 indivíduos com início da PFP entre 3 e 6 meses); GC (70 controles saudáveis). Todos os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação que consistiu na aplicação de uma escala clínica para avaliação da mímica facial e na realização da EMGs em região de músculos risório e zigomático. Resultados: Os resultados indicaram que os grupos com paralisia facial, independentemente do tempo de início da doença, se diferenciaram significativamente do grupo de indivíduos saudáveis quanto à atividade muscular captada durante o repouso e no sorriso voluntário para ambas as regiões musculares testadas. Os grupos com paralisia facial não se diferenciaram significativamente quando considerada a ativação muscular para nenhuma das avaliações realizadas. O grupo com maior tempo de paralisia facial apresentou ativação muscular mais assimétrica durante o sorriso voluntário quando comparado aos demais grupos. A assimetria muscular foi mais evidente considerando o funcionamento do músculo risório. Conclusão: Os resultados da EMGs não evidenciaram diferenças entre os grupos de acordo com o tempo de início da doença.

ABSTRACT Purpose : To assess, through surface electromyography (sEMG), the activity of the risorius and zygomaticus muscles, during the production of voluntary smiles and to compare these data between two groups of individuals with different onset times of peripheral facial palsy (PFP). Methods : A total of 140 adults were divided into three groups: G1 (35 individuals with PFP onset time between 0 and 3 months); G2 (35 individuals with PFP onset time between 3 and 6 months); CG (control group) (70 healthy controls). All of the participants were submitted to the following assessments: clinical protocol for the assessment of facial mimic and sEMG of the risorius and zygomaticus muscles. Results: The results suggest that the groups of individuals with PFP differed from the control group considering muscle activity during rest and during the production of voluntary smiles, regardless of the onset time of the disease. The groups with PFP did not differ between themselves in any of the tested situations. The group with PFP with longer onset time presented greater muscle activation asymmetry during the production of the voluntary smiles when compared to the other two groups. Muscle asymmetry was more evident when considering the results for the risorius muscle. Conclusion : The results of the sEMG do not distinguish the groups when considering PFP onset times.

Avaliação objetiva computadorizada dos parâmetros normais de contração dos músculos faciais / Objective computorized evaluation of normal patterns of facial muscles contraction

Diferentes métodos criados para a avaliação dos movimentos da musculatura facial variam quanto à subjetividade e confiabilidade. Discute-se a praticidade na utilização na clínica diária ou a precisão para uso em pesquisa científica. OBJETIVO: Obter um padrão de contração dos músculos faciais em indivíduos normais por meio de um método objetivo, o sistema Vicon. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Em 12 indivíduos, marcadores refletivos foram colocados em pontos de interesse na face. Os movimentos foram capturados por câmeras que enviaram as imagens para um computador. Foram medidos os deslocamentos dos pontos e calculadas as médias e os desvio padrão (DP). RESULTADOS: Ficou demonstrado que, ao sorrir, a variação deverá ser de 6,45 a 12,11 mm, média de 9,28 mm e DP de 2,83; ao enrugar a testa, a variação deverá ser de 6,00 a 13,08 mm, média de 10,57 mm e DP de 2,51; ao movimentar a pálpebra, a variação devera ser de 6,89 a 11,29 mm, média de 9,09 mm e DP de 2,20; ao franzir a testa, a variação deverá ser de 4,26 a 10,85 mm, média de 7,56 mm e DP 3,29. CONCLUSÃO: Foram obtidos os padrões normais de contração dos músculos faciais.

Different methods used to evaluate the movements of the face have many degrees of subjectivity and reliability. The authors discuss the ease of using these methods in clinical practice or their accuracy in scientific research. AIM: To obtain the standard for normal facial muscles movements using an objective method - the Vicon system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Light reflective markers were placed at points of interest on the face of 12 normal subjects. The movements were captured by cameras that sent the images to a computer. The points' displacements were measured between rest and maximum muscle contraction; and we calculated the means and the standard deviations (SD) were calculated. RESULTS: When smiling, the variation of the oral commissures was between 6.45 and 12.11 mm, mean of 9.28 mm and SD od 2.83; for lifting the eyebrow, it is between 6.0 and 13.08 mm, mean of 10.57 mm and SD of 2.51; for eyelids movement there was a variation of 6.89 and 11.29 mm, with a mean value of 9.09 mm and SD of 2.20; for the movement of wrinkling the forehead, the results showed a variation of 4.16 and 10.85 mm, with a mean value of 7.56 and SD of 3.29. CONCLUSION: The authors obtained normal patterns for facial muscle contraction.

Migraña oftalmopléjica: variantes y secuelas: comunicación de cuatro observaciones / Ophthalmoplegic migraine: variants and consequences: communication of four observations

La migraña oftalmopléjica es una condición de la infancia caracterízada por crisis de severa cefalea hemicraneal seguida de parálisis ipsolateral de los nervios tercero, cuarto o sexto. Modernamente se explica mediante la teoría trigémino-vascular de la migraña. Aunque suele ser autolimitada puede dejar secuelas. Los autores comunican los casos de cuatro pacientes: tres niños con parálisis del tercer nervio craneal: una de ellas, desarrolló en el tiempo una regeneración aberrante secundaria, situación excepcional descrita en la literatura internacional en menos de diez pacientes. El último, un adulto con dos episodios de parálisis del sexto nervio craneal y una del tercer nervio. Se discuten sus manifestaciones clínicas y neurorradiológicas.

Ophthalmoplegic migraine in childhood is a painful migraine or headache complicated by an isolated III, IV or VI oculo-motor nerve palsy followed by total resolution without sequelae. The pathogenesis is unclear, however, more recently an hypothesis of trigeminovascular system activation have been proposed. The authors reported four patients with ophthalmoplegic migraine: three children with third cranial nerve palsy; one of them developed secondary aberrant regeneration of the third nerve. It is an exceptional case, because in the international literature less than ten patients had been reported. One case was an adult patient with recurrent nerve palsy (two episodes of sixth cranial nerve palsy and one event of third nerve palsy). Clinical and neuroradiological manifestations are discussed.

Medida angular para aferição do tônus muscular na paralisia facial / Angular measurement for determining muscle tonus in facial paralysis

BACKGROUND: the decrease of facial movements in peripheral facial paralysis and the resulting aesthetical sequels may have important emotional repercussions as a consequence to the functional deficit, and depending on the intensity of the clinical condition. Orofacial rehabilitation has as a purpose to favor the recovery of orofacial movements and to adequate and/or adapt orofacial functions and facial mimic. However, quantifying therapeutic results in an attempt to measure the muscle tonus is a challenge. Generally, the used forms of measurement are general and subjective. AIM: to propose the labial commissure angle as an anthropometric marker and to evaluate its reliability as an objective tool to evaluate the modification of the facial muscle tonus after rehabilitation. METHOD: participants of the study were 20 patients presenting peripheral facial paralysis - level IV. The study was conducted using images from the photographical documentation taken fifteen days to one year post-onset of facial paralysis. The angle was measured by tracings determined by pre-established anthropometric facial points, such as the line between the glabella and the gnation and the crossing with the left and right chelion points determining an angle manually measured with a protractor on the photography. RESULTS: The average Labial Commissure Angle before treatment was of 101.70 and after rehabilitation of 93.80 (standard deviation, SD = 4.3). The statistical analysis indicated a significant difference (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: the results obtained suggest that the Labial Commissure Angle allows the objective evaluation of facial muscle tonus modification.

TEMA: na paralisia facial periférica, a diminuição dos movimentos faciais e as sequelas estéticas resultantes podem ter repercussões emocionais importantes consequentes ao déficit funcional, na dependência da intensidade do quadro clinico. A reabilitação orofacial visa otimizar os movimentos residuais, na paralisia incompleta, e as suas adequações e/ou adaptação às funções orofaciais e da expressividade facial. Entretanto, quantificar o resultado terapêutico é um desafio. Em geral, as graduações utilizadas são generalistas esubjetivas. OBJETIVO: propor o Ângulo da Comissura Labial e avaliar sua confiabilidade como recurso objetivo na avaliação da modificação do tônus da musculatura facial na evolução da paralisia facial. MÉTODO: foram estudados 20 pacientes com paralisia facial periférica - grau IV. O estudo se fez sob imagens da documentação fotográfica de pacientes com paralisia facial, tomadas a partir de quinze dias de instalação e ao final de um ano de acompanhamento clínico. Mediu-se o ângulo por meio de traçados determinados por pontos faciais antropométricos pré-estabelecidos, como a linha entre a glabella e gnation e o cruzamento com os pontos chelion direito e esquerdo, determinando um ângulo medidomanualmente com um transferidor na fotografia. RESULTADOS: a média do Ângulo da Comissura Labial foi de 101,70 nas tomadas iniciais, diminuindo para 93,80 (desvio padrão = 4,3) após um ano de evolução. O teste estatístico revelou diferença estatisticamente significante (P < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: os resultados obtidos sugerem que o Ângulo da Comissura Labial permite a avaliação objetiva da modificação do tônus da musculatura facial.

Features of Facial Asymmetry Following Incomplete Recovery from Facial Paralysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate peculiar patterns of facial asymmetry following incomplete recovery from facial paralysis that require optimal physical therapy for effective facial rehabilitation, and to decrease the incidence of avoidable facial sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 41 patients who had facial sequelae following the treatment of various facial nerve diseases from March 2000 to March 2007. All patients with a follow-up of at least 1 year after the onset of facial paralysis or hyperactive function of the facial nerve were evaluated with the global and regional House-Brackmann (HB) grading systems. The mean global HB scores and regional HB scores with standard deviations were calculated. Other factors were also analyzed. RESULTS: Four patterns of facial asymmetry can be observed in patients with incomplete facial recovery. The most frequently deteriorated facial movement is frontal wrinkling, followed by an open mouth, smile, or lip pucker in patients with sequelae following facial nerve injury. The most common type of synkinesis was unintended eye closure with an effort to smile. CONCLUSION: We described common configurations of facial asymmetry seen in incomplete recovery following facial nerve injury in an attempt to develop an optimal strategy for physical therapy for complete and effective facial recovery, and to decrease the incidence of avoidable sequelae.

Parálisis facial periférica / Peripheral facial palsy

La parálisis facial periférica (PFP) es una patología frecuente que habitualmente es unilateral, que genera deformidad estética facial y alteraciones funcionales. Se describe la anatomía del nervio facial (NF) en sus segmentos supranuclear, nuclear e infranuclear; describiendo con mejor definición surelación en el hueso temporal. Se hace una breve mención de la fisiopatología de PFP y de los grados de lesión: neuropraxia, axonotmesis y neurotmesis. Especial énfasis se da al diagnóstico en la PFP. Se mencionan las pruebas de topodiagnóstico: Test de Shirmer, Test del Reflejo Estapedial y Test de Blatt con Gustometría que brindan la posibilidad de ubicar topográficamente el lugar de la lesión en el NF Asimismo, se describen las pruebas electrodiagnósticas: Prueba de Excitabilidad del Nervio; - Prueba de Excitabilidad Máxima; - Electroneuronografía y - Electromiografía, todas pruebas que brindan un pronóstico en la evolución de la PFP Se hace mención de las principales causas de PFP vinculándolo a los diferentes segmentos del NF Por último, se plantean las opciones terapéuticas en la PFP, tanto el tratamiento médico donde tiene importante presencia la cortico terapia y el tratamiento quirúrgico, que sobre todo en las causales traumáticas tiene su indicación.

Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) is a common disease, that usually presents as an unilateral form, with facial esthetic deformity, and functional changes. The article describes the anatomy of the facial nerve ( FN), the intranuclear, nuclear and supranuclearsegments, and its relation with the temporal bone. A brief mention of the pathophysiology lesions of the PFP and the type od neurological damage : neuropraxya, axonotmesys and neurotmesys. A special emphasize in the diagnosis of PFP is made and the topodiagnosis tests : Shirmer tests, Estapedial Reflex tests, and Blatt tests with tastemeter, that makes possible to locate topographically the injury zone in the facial nerve. A description is made of the electrodiagnosis tests: Nerve excitabillity test - Maximum excitabillity test - Electroneuronography and eletromiography. All these tests can provide a prognostic information of the PFP. Is mention the underlying explanation of the PFP, associated with the different facial nerve segments. At last, is represented the therapeutic options of the PFP, medical treatment where the corticotherapy is important, and the surgical treatment, specially at the traumatic causes is indicated.

Estudo experimental da influência da atividade muscular da face sobre o esqueleto da mesoestrutura facial em coelhos / Experimental study on the influence of facial muscle activity on the facial mesostructure bones in rabbits

A partir do conceito da matriz funcional, surgiu a hipótese de que são os tecidos moles atuando sobre determinada peça óssea que determinam o processo de crescimento facial. A possibilidade de modificar a influência muscular, seja na fase de desenvolvimento facial, seja em pós-operatórios de cirurgia corretiva é de grande importância preventiva e deveria ser mais bem investigada, uma vez que poderia subtrair o número e magnitude destes procedimentos. DESENHO DO ESTUDO: Experimental em coelhos. OBJETIVO: Estimar a relevância da atividade muscular sobre o esqueleto facial, em coelhos de experimentação, durante sua fase de desenvolvimento facial. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram estudados 37 coelhos de 2 meses de idade, divididos em grupo de estudo e grupo controle e seguidos por um período de 4 meses. Os animais do grupo de estudo tiveram seus nervos faciais seccionados no seu ramo cervical unilateralmente. O esqueleto da mesoestrutura facial era retirado para estudo morfométrico por programa de computação gráfica em fotografias digitalizadas realizadas nas peças. Os resultados obtidos sofreram análise estatística comparativa. CONCLUSÃO: Ausência de atividade muscular em uma metade da face produz desvio lateral da mesoestrutura facial para o mesmo lado em coelhos em desenvolvimento.

Based on the functional matrix concept, scientists developed the hypothesis that soft tissue acting on certain bone pieces determines the process of facial growth. The possibility to modify muscle influence in the phase of facial development, or in postoperative of corrective surgery is of great preventive importance and it should be better investigated, since it could reduce the number and impact of these procedures. STUDY DESIGN: experimental in rabbits. AIM: to estimate the relevance of facial muscle activity on facial bones in lab rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 rabbits of two months of age were studied, divided in a study group and a control group, were followed up for a period of 4 months. The study group animals had their facial nerves cut at the cervical root in one side. The facial mesostructure of the animals was removed in block for later morphometric studies through computer graphics made out of the digital pictures of the specimens. Results were submitted for comparative statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: The lack of muscle activity in half of the face produces an ipsilateral shift of the facial mesostructure in developing rabbits.

Parálisis facial en otitis media: revisión bibliográfica / Facial paralysis in otitis media: literature review

La parálisis facial secundaria a una otitis media es una conocida complicación de infecciones agudas y crónicas. Su fisiopatología es desconocida pero la presión elevada en el oído medio, la osteítis, la invasión bacteriana y la neurotoxicidad, podrían estar involucradas. Los exámenes de laboratorio no entregan mayor información para determinar la etiología de la parálisis facial y la tomografía computada de oídos sería el estudio radiológico de elección ya que permite identificar el compromiso óseo, la extensión de la enfermedad y posibles alteraciones anatómicas existentes, además de ser utilizado para el diagnóstico de eventuales complicaciones intracraneales. El tratamiento de la parálisis en el curso de una otitis media aguda es médico, con antibióticos y esteroides, con buen pronóstico de recuperación; mientras en una otitis media crónica el tratamiento es quirúrgico y el pronóstico global peor.

Facial paralysis secondary to otitis media is a well known complication of acute and chronic infection. The physiopathology of facial nerve paralysis secondary to otitis media of not known, but high middle ear pressure, osteitis, direct bacterial invasion and neurotoxicity could be involved. Laboratory studies have failed to provide clues as to determining the etiology of facial nerve palsy. Ear CT is the radiologic study of choice, as it allows the identification of bone destruction, disease extension and possible anatomic alterations, and may also be used as a screening for intracranial complications. Acute otitis media treatment is medical with antibiotics and steroids, with good prognosis, whereas in chronic otitis media the treatment is surgical, with worst global prognosis.

Anastomose nervosa massetérico-facial no tratamento da paralisia facial / Masseteric-facial anastomosis on treatment of facial palsy

Introdução: em pacientes com paralisia facial, os nervos cranianos locais constituem uma fonte de axônios motores que podem ser redirecionados para reanimação facial, dentre estes o ramo massetérico do nervo trigêmio desponta como uma nova opção. Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia do ramo motor massetérico do nervo trigêmio na restauração da mímica facial em pacientes com paralisia traumática. Métodos: estudo prospectivo de 5 pacientes, portadores de paralisia facial traumática, operados no ServiçodeCirurgiaPlásticadoHUCnoperíododeJaneiro de 2005 a Junho de 2006. Resultados: todos pacientes apresentaram lesão traumática unilateral do nervo facial intra-temporal com menos de um ano de evolução. O retorno da mímica facial foi notado a partir do 3 o mês de pós-operatório.Tardiamente, os pacientes apresentaram boa motricidade, principalmente em rima bucal e região palpebral. Discussão: dentre as opções de reconstrução da paralisia facial com nervos craniais o ramo massetérico apresenta pouca morbidade no sítio doador em comparação com as demais opções disponíveis, menor incidência de sinquenesia, adaptação cerebral eficiente, reeducação motora rápida e efetiva da musculatura facial, além de ser um procedimento em tempo único. Conclusão: o ramo massetérico do nervo trigêmio se apresenta como uma boa opção na reanimação da face paralisada.

Introduction: local cranial nerves in patient with facial paralysis represent a source of motor axons that can be redirected for facial reanimation; the motor branch to the masseter muscle is a new option. Objective: evaluate the efficacy of the motor branch to the masseter muscle on the reinervation of the facial movement in patients with traumatic facial palsy. Methods: prospective study of 5 patients, with traumatic facial palsy, treated in the Service of Plastic Surgery of HUC between January 2005 and June 2006. Results: all Patients had unilateral traumatic lesion of intra-temporal facial nerve with less than one year of evolution. The return to the facial movement occurred after the 3 o month of anastomosis. In the long time, patients showed good motricity, mainly on the mouth and palpebral region. Discussion: comparing with other donor nerve sites the masseteric branch has less donor deficit, less mass motion, efficient cerebral adaptation, rapid motor reeducation and active motion of the facial musculature, and is a one-time procedure. Conclusion: the masseteric branch of the trigeminal nerve is emerging like a good option on the reanimation of the paralyzed face.

The influence of age in peripheral facial palsy on brainstem reflex excitability.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal plasticity is expected to be different at different ages and adaptive changes developing after peripheral facial palsy (PFP) may provide a clue in this respect. AIMS: To investigate the difference in the reorganization developing after facial nerve damage between patients who developed PFP at childhood-youth and middle-old age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients were divided into two groups according to the age-at-onset of PFP; young (PFP 1), and elderly (PFP 2). Two age-matched control groups (C 1 and C 2) comprised of 32 healthy subjects were included in the study. The latency, R(2) area, and recovery of the R(2) area of the blink reflex were investigated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were used. RESULTS: The R(2) areas were significantly greater on the intact side of the PFP 1 group as compared to that in the control group ( P =0.012). The recovery of R2 component was significantly enhanced on the symptomatic (P = 0.027), and intact (P = 0.041) sides in PFP 1 as compared to that in the C 2 group at the stimulus interval of 600 ms. Significant enhanced recovery was noted at 200 ms stimulus interval on the symptomatic side of the two PFP groups (PFP 1, P = 0.05 and PFP 2, P = 0.025) and on the intact side of the PFP 1 group (P =0.035) as compared to that in the control groups. CONCLUSION: Young age-at-onset of PFP is associated with more prominent excitability changes developing at the neuronal and interneuronal level.

Avaliação funcional da mímica na paralisia facial central por acidente cerebrovascular / Mime functional evaluation in facial paralysis following a stroke

TEMA: avaliação funcional da mímica facial de pacientes com paralisia facial central por acidente cerebrovascular. OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos funcionais da musculatura facial em pacientes com paralisia facial central após acidente cerebrovascular. MÉTODO: foram avaliados nove pacientes do Serviço de Neurologia. A avaliação enfocou movimentos espontâneos, reflexos e voluntários. RESULTADOS: todos os pacientes apresentaram movimentação voluntária e involuntária das pálpebras e testa, mas a movimentação dos lábios e de nariz estava prejudicada em ambos os movimentos, dependendo da localização e extensão da lesão. CONCLUSÃO: a sintomatologia da paralisia facial central, na qual se espera a paralisia da movimentação da parte inferior somente para os movimentos voluntários, ocorre na minoria dos pacientes.

Lagoftalmos bilateral en paciente con lepra lepromatosa. Caso clínico / Bilateral lagophthalmos inlepromatous leprosy. Case report

CASE REPORT: A case of bilateral facial palsy with paralytic ectropion, lagophthalmos and corneal damage secondary to corneal exposure in a long-standing patient with lepromatous leprosy is presented. Correction of paralytic ectropion was performed by medial cantoplasty, tarsal strip and Medpor lower eyelid spacer implantation. Lagophthalmos was corrected by gold weight implant in the upper tarsus. DISCUSSION: Ocular findings in leprosy appear in 72 per cent of patients. Facial nerve palsy occurs in 3-19.8 per cent, being bilateral in 5 per cent. In long standing cases with corneal complications secondary to exposure, surgical treatment is required.

Sindrome de Moebius-Poland: relato de caso / Moebius-Poland syndrome: case report

A sindrome de Moebius e uma anomalia congenita rara, caracterizada por um desenvolvimento anormal do nucleos de pares cranianos, no tronco cerebral, mais comumente o VI par (abducente) e o VII par (facial), associada a malformacoes nas extremidades dos membros. Os autores de modo geral designam esta sindrome pelo nome de Moebius ou Mobius. A etiologia da doenca ainda e obscura. Alguns autores portulam a hipotese de um defeito congenito ectodermico envolvendo primariamente os nucleos de pares cranianos, o tronco cerebral e os nervos perifericos sendo a displasia muscular secundaria a esta lesao. Os pacientes portadores de sindrome de Moebius sao pessoas normais com dificuldade de se comunicar com o meio ambiente, cabendo a equipe multiprofissional integra-los na sociedade

Facial electroneurography in Bell's palsy: variability in the early stage and comparison between interpretation methods

To determine the variability of the abnormalities found in the electroneurography (ENG) of the facial nerve in cases of Bell's palsy during the initial two week period was one of the objectives of the authors. A second one was to investigate the value of ENG as a tool to determine an early prognosis of recovery utilizing two different methods. In the first one the amplitude of the compound muscular action potential (CMAP) obtained on the paralyzed side was compared to this potential on the opposite (normal) side. The second method compared the CMAP on the paralyzed side to normal standardized data from normal individuals. A group of 33 patients with Bell's palsy was followed until total recovery or for at least 4 months, if the recovery was not achieved earlier. It was observed that amplitude of the CMAP become stable towards the sixth day of palsy and this is a good time to establish the prognosis. Another conclusion is that both methods were equivalent to determine the prognosis in Bell's palsy.

Efecto de la estimulación con campos eléctricos sobre los injertos cruzados de nervio facial en pacientes con parálisis facial congénita: resultados preliminares / Electric field stimulation in sural-facial nerve grafts in cases of congenital facial palsy: preliminary observations

Se estudió el efecto de la estimulación de campos eléctricos para promover el crecimiento axonal a lo largo de injertos de nervio sural a facial en casos de parálisis facial congénita asociada a microsomia hemifacial. Con este propósito se estudió un total de 17 pacientes con parálisis facial unilateral permanente asociada a microsomia hemifacial pre y postoperatoriamente. Se realizó un injerto de nervio sural a facial en todos los casos y se les aplicó estimulación a largo plazo con campos eléctricos a la mitad de los pacientes seleccionados mediante un proceso aleatorio: Aunque ocurrió mejoría en ambos grupos, los resultados indicaron que la recuperación tanto clínica como electrofisiológica fue significativamente mejor en los pacientes quienes recibieron estimulación postoperatoria de campos eléctricos. Los resultados sugieren que la estimulación de campos eléctricos en pacientes sometidos a injertos de nervio sural a facial inducen una mejoría adicional sobre los pacientes no estimulados

Síndrome de Melkersson Rosenthal con hallazgos histopatológicos poco frecuentes / Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome with unusual histopathological findings

Se estudia un paciente de sexo masculino, de 37 años de edad, con edema orofacial y macroquilla, parálisis facial periférica bilateral y lengua escrotal. En el estudio histopatológico de la mejilla se halló un granuloma epiteliode con hallazgos de endoflebitis obliterante linfocitaria y epiteloide en su interior. Se diagnosticó el síndrome de Melkersson-Rosenthal y se realizó una revisión bibliográfica del tema. Se presenta el caso por los hallazgos histopatológicos que se han considerado patognomónicos y poco frecuentes de este síndrome