Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at different sites for peripheral facial paralysis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: There are very few studies on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for facial paralysis and no studies comparing the efficacy of central and peripheral TMS in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Purpose: To observe the therapeutic effect and security of central and peripheral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on PFP. Methods: Patients with unilateral onset of peripheral facial paralysis within 1 month were prospectively recruited, 97 patients with PFP were divided into the peripheral group, central group, and control group. The control group was given common treatment (drug therapy and acupuncture), and the peripheral and central groups received rTMS in addition to conventional treatment. After 2 weeks of treatment, the House-Brackmann (HB) grading scale, Sunnybrook facial grading system (SFGS), and modified Portmann scale (MPS) were used to evaluate the facial muscle function of patients in the three groups. Result: After 2 weeks of rTMS treatment, the HBGS/SFGS/MPS scores of the three groups were significantly better than before (p < 0.05), and the mean change values of HBGS, SFGS, and MPS scores were significantly higher in participants in Peripheral Group (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.003; respectively) and Central Group (p = 0.004; p = 0.003; p = 0.009; respectively) than in Control Group. But the mean change values of HBGS, SFGS, and MPS scores showed no significant differences in participants in the Peripheral Group than in the Central Group (p = 0.254; p = 0.139; p = 0.736; respectively) after 2 weeks of treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows that rTMS can be a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for patients with PFP. Preliminary studies have shown that both peripheral and central stimulation can effectively improve facial nerve function, but there is no significant difference in the efficacy of the two sites.

CS-VIBE accelerates cranial nerve MR imaging for the diagnosis of facial neuritis: comparison of the diagnostic performance of post-contrast MPRAGE and CS-VIBE.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of post-contrast 3D compressed sensing volume-interpolated breath-hold examination (CS-VIBE) and 3D T1 magnetization-prepared rapid-acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) in detecting facial neuritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2019 and September 2019, 60 patients (30 facial palsy patients and 30 controls) who underwent contrast-enhanced cranial nerve MRI with both conventional MPRAGE and CS-VIBE (scan time: 6 min 8 s vs. 2 min 48 s) were included in this retrospective study. All images were independently reviewed by three radiologists for the presence of facial neuritis. In patients with facial palsy, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the pons, enhancement degree and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRnerve-CSF) of the facial nerve were measured. The overall image quality, artifacts, and facial nerve discrimination were analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of both sequences were calculated with the clinical diagnosis as a reference. RESULTS: CS-VIBE had comparable performance in the detection of facial neuritis to that of MPRAGE (sensitivity and specificity, 97.8% and 99.4% vs. 100.0% and 99.4% in pooled analysis; 97.8% and 98.9% vs. 100.0% and 98.9% in patents with facial palsy, p value > 0.05 for all). CS-VIBE showed significantly lower SNR (p value < 0.001 for all), but significantly higher CNRnerve-CSF (p value < 0.05 for all) than MPRAGE. CS-VIBE also performed better in the overall image quality, artifacts, and facial nerve discrimination than MPRAGE (p value < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: CS-VIBE achieved comparable diagnostic performance for facial neuritis compared to the conventional MPRAGE, with the scan time being half of that of MPRAGE. KEY POINTS: • Post-contrast 3D CS-VIBE MRI is a reliable method for the diagnosis of facial neuritis. • CS-VIBE reduces the scan time of cranial nerve MRI by more than half compared to conventional T1-weighted image. • CS-VIBE had better performance in contrast-to-noise ratio and favorable image quality compared with conventional T1-weighted image.

Improvement of the Diagnostic Performance of Facial Neuritis Using Contrast-Enhanced 3D T1 Black-Blood Imaging: Comparison with Contrast-Enhanced 3D T1-Spoiled Gradient-Echo Imaging.

This study aims to investigate the diagnostic ability of the contrast-enhanced 3D T1 black-blood fast spin-echo (T1 BB-FSE) sequence compared with the contrast-enhanced 3D T1-spoiled gradient-echo (CE-GRE) sequence in patients with facial neuritis. Forty-five patients with facial neuritis who underwent temporal bone MR imaging, including T1 BB-FSE and CE-GRE imaging, were examined. Two reviewers independently assessed the T1 BB-FSE and CE-GRE images in terms of diagnostic performance, and qualitative (diagnostic confidence and visual asymmetric enhancement) and quantitative analysis (contrast-enhancing lesion extent of the canalicular segment of the affected facial nerve (LEC) and the affected side-to-normal signal intensity ratio (rSI)). The AUCs of each reviewer, and the sensitivity and accuracy of T1 BB-FSE were significantly superior to those of CE-GRE (p < 0.05). Regarding diagnostic confidence and visual asymmetric enhancement, T1 BB-FSE tended to be rated greater than CE-GRE (p < 0.05). Additionally, in quantitative analysis, LEC and rSI of the canalicular segment on T1 BB-FSE were larger than those on CE-GRE (p < 0.05). The T1 BB-FSE sequence was significantly superior to the CE-GRE sequence, with more conspicuous lesion visualization in terms of both qualitative and quantitative aspects in patients with facial neuritis.

Imaging of facial neuritis using T2-weighted gradient-echo fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition after gadolinium injection.

BACKGROUND: MRI is the modality of choice for the imaging of facial neuritis. Previously, gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging of the petrous bone, then FLAIR sequences were thought to be most informative for acute facial neuritis imaging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced T2-weighted sequence for the diagnosis of acute facial neuritis and compare it to contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and FLAIR sequences. METHODS: We included 50 patients with an acute unilateral idiopathic peripheral facial neuritis. An MRI (3 T) with three sequences was performed (T1-weighted, T2-weighted and FLAIR), all acquired after intravenous contrast-media injection. RESULTS: The contrast-enhanced T2-weighted sequence appeared to be the most accurate one for the diagnosis of acute facial neuritis (Se 94%, Sp 100%, accuracy 98.2%, p < 0.001), with a pathological facial nerve strongly (grade 2-3) enhancing and a homogenous enhancement along the course of the entire facial nerve. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (Se 80%, Sp 100%, accuracy 94.1%) and FLAIR sequences (92%, Sp 88%, accuracy 90%, p < 0.001) showed lower accuracy. On T1-weighted sequence, a strong enhancement (blurred margins) of the canalicular segment was observed in 80% of the cases when it was never observed in normal nerves. CONCLUSION: A strong (= iso to hyperintense to the petrous fat signal) and diffuse (all segments) enhancement of the facial nerve on T2-weighted steady-state free precession sequence is a sensitive and specific sign for the diagnosis of acute idiopathic facial neuritis, and appears superior to T1WI and FLAIR sequences.

[Influence on orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetra-ting needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.

Influence on orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetra-ting needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.

[Clinical observation of interventional opportunity for acupuncture treatment of acute facial neuritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different acupuncture intervention time on the improvement of the symptoms of acute facial neuritis and the length of recovery time, and to find the best interventional opportunity for acute facial neuritis. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with acute facial neuritis (all unilateral onset) were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely group A, group B, group C and group D, 30 cases in each group. Acupuncture performed within 3 days after onset in the group A; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were received within 3 days after onset, and acupuncture was started from the 4th day in the group B; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were given within 5 days after onset, and acupuncture was administered from the 6th day in the group C; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were given within 7 days after onset, and acupuncture was applied from the 8th day in the group D. Penetration needling was the main acupuncture treatment, with infrared radiation on the cheeks, once a day, 6 days a week and 3 weeks were given. After treatment, the symptom scores (Portmann scores) of the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset were compared. The time of improvement and the clinical effect of each group were compared. RESULTS: On the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset, the Portmann scores of the 4 groups were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05). On the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset, the Portmann scores in the group A were higher than those in the other 3 groups (all P<0.05). There was significant difference between both pairs of group B, group C and group D (all P<0.05). The total effective rate in the group A was 96.7% (29/30), which was higher than 93.3% (28/30), 86.7% (26/30) and 83.3% (25/30) in the other 3 groups (all P<0.05). The difference between the 4 groups in the beginning of improvement, significant improvement time and clinical recovery time was statistically significant (all P<0.05), and the group A was optimal. CONCLUSION: Early intervention of acupuncture with acute facial neuritis can appropriately slow the progression of facial nerve injury, improve the therapeutic effect, and shorten the clinical recovery time.

Mitophagy protects SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against the TNFα-induced inflammatory injury: Involvement of microRNA-145 and Bnip3.

Inflammatory response is involved in the development of facial neuritis. The aim of our study is to explore the role of mitophagy in facial nerve damage induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Our results indicated that TNFα induced SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, TNFα treatment also suppressed mitophagy by reducing the expression of BCL2 interacting protein 3 (Bnip3). Overexpression of Bnip3 under sustained SH-SY5Y cell viability in the setting of TNFα-mediated inflammation injury. At the molecular levels, Bnip3 overexpression maintained mitochondrial function via preserving mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing cytochrome-c leakage and inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. Functional studies have suggested that microRNA-145 (miR-145) was an upstream regulator of Bnip3-dependent mitophagy. MiR-145 inhibited Bnip3 transcription and expression, leading to mitophagy inhibition. In contrast, inhibition of miR-145 reversed mitophagy activity and subsequently promoted SH-SY5Y cell survival in the context of TNFα-mediated inflammation injury. Altogether, our data identified Bnip3-dependent mitophagy as one of the defensive mechanisms to sustain mitochondrial homeostasis and SH-SY5Y cell survival. Besides, miR-145/Bnip3/mitophagy axis may be considered as a potential target for the treatment of facial neuritis in clinical practice.

Clinical observation of interventional opportunity for acupuncture treatment of acute facial neuritis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of different acupuncture intervention time on the improvement of the symptoms of acute facial neuritis and the length of recovery time, and to find the best interventional opportunity for acute facial neuritis.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with acute facial neuritis (all unilateral onset) were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely group A, group B, group C and group D, 30 cases in each group. Acupuncture performed within 3 days after onset in the group A; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were received within 3 days after onset, and acupuncture was started from the 4th day in the group B; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were given within 5 days after onset, and acupuncture was administered from the 6th day in the group C; oral mecobalamin dispersible tablets and multivitamin B tablets were given within 7 days after onset, and acupuncture was applied from the 8th day in the group D. Penetration needling was the main acupuncture treatment, with infrared radiation on the cheeks, once a day, 6 days a week and 3 weeks were given. After treatment, the symptom scores (Portmann scores) of the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset were compared. The time of improvement and the clinical effect of each group were compared.@*RESULTS@#On the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset, the Portmann scores of the 4 groups were higher than those before treatment (all <0.05). On the 7th, 14th and 28th day after onset, the Portmann scores in the group A were higher than those in the other 3 groups (all <0.05). There was significant difference between both pairs of group B, group C and group D (all <0.05). The total effective rate in the group A was 96.7% (29/30), which was higher than 93.3% (28/30), 86.7% (26/30) and 83.3% (25/30) in the other 3 groups (all <0.05). The difference between the 4 groups in the beginning of improvement, significant improvement time and clinical recovery time was statistically significant (all <0.05), and the group A was optimal.@*CONCLUSION@#Early intervention of acupuncture with acute facial neuritis can appropriately slow the progression of facial nerve injury, improve the therapeutic effect, and shorten the clinical recovery time.

Clinical Study on Treating Acute Facial Neuritis with Tube Moxibustion Therapy Combined with Routine Acupuncture Treatment / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe clinical efficacy of treating acute facial neuritis with routine acupuncture treatment and tube moxibustion therapy. Methods Totally 100 cases were divided into observation group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases) with random number table method. Both groups were treated with acupuncture on accupoints of Yifeng (SJ17), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Yingxiang (LI20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Cuanzhu (BL2) of affected side, Hegu (LI4) of unaffected side. On the basis of routine treatment, observation group was given electronic tube moxibustion therapy, inserting the ipsilateral external auditory canal about 1 cm and waiting for burning out, 20 min each time. Control group received TDP to irradiate ipsilateral ear, 20 min each time. Treatment for both groups were once a day, 5 times as a treatment course, 2 d between each course, for 4 courses. House-Brakmann facial nerve functional index, temperature differences on face and retroauricular skin and ear pain duration were observed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results One and two cases were lost in observation group and control group, respectively. The total effective rate of clinical efficacy was 91.67% (44/48) in the observation group and 75.51% (37/49) in the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, House-Brakmann facial nerve functional index in both groups improved (P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, temperature differences on face and retroauricular skin in both groups decreased, and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.01). The ear pain duration in the observation group was shorter than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tube moxibustion therapy combined with routine acupuncture can improve the symptoms of acute facial neuritis and promote clinical efficacy.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Kinetic Rectification Acupuncture on Acute Facial Neuritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of kinetic rectification acupuncture in treating acute facial neuritis. Method Sixty patients with acute facial neuritis were randomized to observation and control groups. The observation group received kinetic rectification acupuncture and the control group, conventional acupuncture alone. Acupuncture was given five times a week, five times as one course. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after three courses of treatment. Result The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in the observation group and 73.3% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The latencies and amplitudes of the frontal muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle and quadrate muscle of upper lip improved in the two groups after treatment and had statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences (P < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the pre-/post-treatment difference values of the latencies and amplitudes of the frontal muscle and orbicularis oculi muscle (P<0.01) and no statistically significant difference in the pre-/post-treatment difference values of the latency and amplitude of the quadrate muscle of upper lip (P>0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion Kinetic rectification acupuncture has a marked therapeutic effect on acute facial neuritis. This study provides a particular therapeutic method for clinical practice.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Different Waveform Electroacupuncture on Convalescence-stage Peripheral Facial Paralysis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of different waveform electroacupuncture in treating convalescence-stage peripheral facial paralysis.Methods Ninety-four patients with convalescence-stage peripheral facial paralysis were randomly allocated: 22 cases to treatment group 1, 25 cases to treatment group 2, 23 cases to treatment group 3 and 24 cases to the control group. The same acupoints were selected in different groups. Treatment group 1 received electroacupuncture with continuous waves; treatment group 2, electroacupuncture with sparse-dense waves, treatment group 3, electroacupuncture with interrupted waves; the control group, simple electroacupuncture. Treatment was given once every other day, five times as a course. The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System score was recorded in every group before and at one and three months after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 86.4% in treatment group 1, 88.0% in treatment group 2, 82.6% in treatment group 3 and 62.5% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between each of the treatment groups and the control group (P0.05). In each of the treatment groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the Sunnybrook score between before treatment groups and at one or three months after treatment (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the Sunnybrook score at one and three months after treatment between each of the treatment groups and the control group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the Sunnybrook score at one month after treatment between treatment group 3 and treatment group 1 or 2 (P<0.05).Conclusions Different electroacupuncture treatments all have a marked clinicaleffect on convalescence-stage peripheral facial paralysis. Electroacupuncture with interrupted waves is more effective in restoring facial muscle function in the early stage of convalescence.

The effects of modulated medium frequency current therapy combined with infrared therapy on patients of acute facial neuritis / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of modulated medium frequency current therapy (MMFCT) combined with infrared therapy on patients of acute facial neuritis. Methods A total of forty-six patients with acute facial neuritis were divided into two groups (observation group and control group) randomly and medially. Every patient received medication. Meanwhile, observation group received MMFCT and infrared therapy. Before the treatment, and after two and four weeks of treatment, Portmann scale were used to evaluate the autonomic movements of the facial expression muscles on both sides. After 4 weeks of treatment, the outcome was evaluated by House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system. Results There were no significant differences in Portmann scales before treatment between two groups. Portmann scales were higher in observation group than those of control group after two and four weeks of treatment (P<0.05). With the duration of treatment, Portmann scales were increased successively in two groups. The significant difference was found in multiple comparisons between groups. After 4 weeks of treatment, the efficacy was significant in the observation group, compared with control group, the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Modulated medium frequency current therapy combined with infrared therapy have a better effect than isolated medication.

Usefulness of contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional T1-VISTA in the diagnosis of facial neuritis: comparison with contrast-enhanced T1-TSE.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Compared with 2-dimensional imaging, 3D-reformatted imaging is a valuable technique that offers improved anatomic accuracy with minimal flow artifact and thinner sections without gaps between slices. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of CE 3D T1-VISTA with fat suppression sequences compared with CE T1-TSE with fat suppression sequences in patients with facial neuritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 32 consecutive patients who underwent IAC MR imaging for Bell's palsy. IAC MR scanning, including CE T1-VISTA and CE T1-TSE, was performed in all patients using a 3T scanner. The order of the scans was random. Signal intensity was measured at three segments (canalicular, labyrinthine, and anterior genu) of the facial nerve by drawing a ROI along the affected side and the normal side in each segment. We compared the quantitative CR of the two MR sequences with paired t-tests. RESULTS: In all three segments, the lesion-to-normal contrast ratios on CE 3D T1-VISTA (canalicular: 2.32; labyrinthine: 2.22; anterior genu: 1.97) were greater than those on CE T1-TSE (canalicular: 2.17; labyrinthine: 1.72; anterior genu: 1.68). The labyrinthine and anterior genu segments had significantly higher lesion-to-normal contrast ratios on CE 3D T1-VISTA in patients with facial neuritis (labyrinthine: P<0.001; anterior genu: P=0.002). CONCLUSION: CE 3D T1-VISTA was superior to CE T1-TSE in terms of image contrast between lesions and the normal facial nerve.

Comparison of the Efficacies of Transverse Insertion of A Thick Needle into Point Shendao (GV11) Versus Conventional Acupuncture in Treating Facial Neuritis of Different Durations / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacies of transverse insertion of a thick needle into point Shendao(GV11) versus conventional acupuncture in treating facial neuritis of different durations.Method Two hundred and twenty patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to thick needle and tradition groups. The two groups separately received corresponding treatment in addition to oral administration of Western medicine. The therapeutic effects were evaluated using the House-Brackmann rating scale and the Portmann's Simple Scale (RPA) for facial symptoms and compared after two courses of treatment.Result The therapeutic effect was better, posttreatment H-B rating scale score was lower and posttreatment RPA score was higher in the thick needle group than in the tradition group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Different durations of disease affected the therapeutic effect. In the thick needle group, the therapeutic effect was better in the patients in the early stage than in the middle and late stages; there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The cure rate was higher in the patients in the early and middle stages in the thick needle group than in the tradition group; there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Transverse insertion of a thick needle into point Shendao has a definite therapeutic effect on facial neuritis. It is safe, easily performed and of an advantage over conventional acupuncture.

Analyze on the effects of implementing traditional Chinese medicine clinical pathway on family sickbed patients / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To analyze the effect of implementing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical pathway on family sickbed patients.Methods Those family sickbed patients with herpes zoster or facial neuritis were involved in this study.Their medical records and data of ‘Family sickbed quality control scale’ were collected,in which there are methods of TCM clinical pathway,decoction of the Chinese Medicine,ingredients and treatment procedures of the topically used TCMs,and acupuncture treatment procedures were documented.The family sickbed days,prognosis,informed rate and satisfaction rate were analyzed before and after TCM clinical pathway treatment.Results In the treatment group,the family sickbed days (11.67± 1.91)d and referral rate 12.20％ (10/82) were significantly lower (P＜ 0.01) than those in the control group [(1 3.88 ± 2.61) d,50.00％ (41/82) respectively].The rate of cure87.80％ (72/82),the rate of informed patient 97.56％ (80/82) and the rate of satisfaction91.46％ (75/82) were significantly higher(P＜ 0.01)than those in the control group [50.00％ (41/82)、65.85％ (54/82)、50.00％ (41/82) respectively].Conclusion The clinical pathways for family sickbed patients with herpes zoster or facial neuritis were effective.

Clinical Observation of Sellate Ganglion Block in the Treatment of Facial Paralysis / 中国基层医药

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of stellate ganglion block for the treatment of facial paralysis. Methods 128 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group was treated by routine therapy , treatment group was treated by routine therapy plus stellate ganglion block. The effects of the two groups were evaluated by facial paralysis scale. Effective rate and cure rate as well as the course of therapy after treatment were also observed and compared. Results The cure rate of treatment group was 65% , effective rate was 98%. The cure rate of control group was 35% .effective rate was 82%. The cure rate and effective rate of treatment group were significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0. 05 ). The mean effective time and cure time of treatment group were shorter than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Stellate ganglion block plus routine therapy produced better therapeutic effect and shortened the therapeutic course of facial paralysis.

Acute Facial Neuritis Treated with Bleeding Therapy by Plum Needle Acupuncturing Wanggu Acupoint / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To discuss the best acupuncture treatment to acute facial neuritis.[Method] Compare the routine acupuncture method with plum needle acupuncturing Wanggu acupoint for bleeding.[Result] After 3 courses,the cure rate of the treatment group was 66.7%,and 33.3% for the control one;by comparison,the difference was of marked meaning(P

Therapeutic Effect of Breviscapine for Injection on Acute Facial Neuritis / 中国药房

0.05).In 28 days before and after treatment,there was significant difference in H-B grade between two groups (P

Effecct of acupuncture on patient with facial neuritis with different degrees of injury / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective:To observe the efficacy of acupuncture in patient with facial neuritis with different degrees of injury.Methods:60 patients with facial neuritis were divided into two groups on the basis of wave amplitude of injured side to normal side:≥30% group and