Etiological factor analysis of facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the etiological factors of facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective research included 41 patients operated for facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear. Careful exploration was made in facial canal in order to identify pathological tissue involvement. Pathological examination was performed in all operative specimens.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four intact fallopian canals were observed. There was a defect on the fallopian canal in 37 patients (90%) and it was most commonly located on the tympanic segment of the canal (89%). Pathological report was cholesteatoma, granulation and tuberculosis, which was found in 24 cases (59%) 14 cases (34%) and 3 cases (7%), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Facial nerve paralysis due to chronic inflammation of middle ear was frequently relevant with cholesteatoma,the tympanic segment of the fallopian canal was most location to be involved in. Its major factor was the infection spreading along the nerve tissue, but not atrophy due to compression. The defect on the fallopian canal was not necessary for infection diffusion.</p>