Background Facial nerve paralysis in a patient with a salivary gland mass usually denotes malignancy. However, facial paralysis can also be caused by benign salivary gland tumors. Methods We present a case of facial nerve paralysis due to a benign salivary gland tumor that had the imaging characteristics of an intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma. Results The patient presented to our clinic 4 y...

Objective: To provide rationale for the clinical application of endoscopic optic nerve decompression based on anatomical and imaging studies. Methods: The anatomy of optic nerve canal and its adjacent structures of 20 facial sides of human cadaver heads were examined by multislice spiral CT scanning and imaging workstations. Anatomical and imaging measurements were compared. Results: The follow...

Temporary and permanent facial nerve dysfunctions can be observed after parotidectomy for benign and malignant lesions. Intraoperative nerve monitoring is a recognised tool for the preservation of the nerve, while the efficacy of the operative microscope has been rarely stated. The authors report their experience on 198 consecutive parotidectomies performed on 196 patients with the aid of the o...

introduction: synkinesis and facial asymmetry due to facial nerve palsy are distressing conditions that affect quality of life. unfortunately, these sequelae of facial nerve palsy are unresolved. the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a combination of biofeedback therapy and botulinum toxin a (btx-a) injection for the management of synkinesis and asymmetry of facial muscles.  ...

BACKGROUND Advanced parotid cancers more than 4 cm are firmly fixed around the main trunk of the facial nerve that can be hardly detected in narrow working space between mastoid process and parotid cancer. Even though facial nerve was preserved, facial nerve stretching during surgery has significantly serious effect on postoperative facial palsy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate usefulness of removing m...

BACKGROUND The rodent model is commonly used to study facial nerve injury. Because of the exceptional regenerative capacity of the rodent facial nerve, it is essential to consider the timing when studying facial nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Short-term functional recovery data following transection and repair of the facial nerve has been documented by our laboratory. However, beca...

Anatomic preservation of the facial nerve, with maximal facial function, is one of the goals of acoustic neuroma surgery. Application of electrophysiologic monitoring techniques is useful in achieving this goal. Preoperative electromyography and nerve conduction studies provide important prognostic information for preservation of the nerve and postoperative function. Intraoperative electromyogr...

In this issue of the AJNR, Dr. Sartoretti-Schefer et al (page 810) present a novel study investigating imaging of the facial nerve and its relationship with acoustic tumors. They point out that it has been reported in the literature that the facial nerve lies anteriorly to the tumor 98% of the time. With the T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR technique, they could identify consistently the entire co...

Peripheral facial weakness is a facial nerve damage that results in muscle weakness on one side of the face. It may be idiopathic (Bell's palsy) or may have a detectable cause. Almost 80% of peripheral facial weakness cases are primary and the rest of them are secondary. The most frequent causes of secondary peripheral facial weakness are systemic viral infections, trauma, surgery, diabetes, lo...

INTRODUCTION Facial nerve weakness is most commonly due to Bell's palsy or cerebrovascular accidents. Rarely, middle ear tumor presents with facial nerve dysfunction. CASE PRESENTATION We report a very unusual case of middle ear osteoma in a 49-year-old Caucasian woman causing progressive facial nerve deficit. A subtle middle ear lesion was observed on otoscopy and computed tomographic images...