1/92. Unilateral transient forehead paralysis following injury to the temporal branch of the facial nerve. BACKGROUND: Cutaneous surgery in the temporal region of the forehead can lead to injury to the superficial temporal branch of the facial nerve. A flattened forehead and with ipsilateral forehead paralysis can occur with damage to this nerve. methods: A case is presented of transient forehead paralysis resulting from Mohs' micrographic surgery with reconstruction of the defect. The paralysis resolved over a period of fifteen months. RESULTS: The anatomy of the nerve makes it susceptible to injury during cutaneous surgery. The area of danger is the area superior to the zygomatic arch and lateral to the lateral eyebrow where the nerve is closest to the skin. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of motor function usually occurs without intervention, but may take several months. Should motor function not recur, nerve grafting of a repair of the ptotic brow may be needed. The anatomy of the nerve is reviewed and brow lifting options are discussed. ( info) |
2/92. Bilateral facial nerve paralysis after high voltage electrical injury. A case of bilateral facial nerve paralysis of a patient who received a high voltage electrical burn is presented. This is an extremely unusual neurologic condition and has not been previously reported in association with electrical injuries. The patient regained nearly complete neurologic function several months after the incident. ( info) |
3/92. Neurological abnormalities associated with mobile phone use. Dysaesthesiae of the scalp after mobile phone use have been previously reported but the pathological basis of these symptoms has been unclear. We report finding a neurological abnormality in a patient after prolonged use of a mobile phone. He had permanent unilateral dysaesthesiae of the scalp, slight loss of sensation, and abnormalities on current perception threshold testing of cervical and trigeminal nerves. A neurologist found no other disease. The implications regarding health effects of mobile phones and radio-frequency radiation is discussed. ( info) |
4/92. Remission of hemifacial spasm after proximal occlusion of vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysm with coils: case report. intracranial aneurysm is a rare cause of hemifacial spasm and most of the previously reported cases are treated with surgical microvascular decompression. Authors report a case of hemifacial spasm caused by a dissecting aneurysm located at the vertebrobasilar junction which improved after endovascular obliteration of the affected vertebral artery with coils.The patient was a 69-year-old man with 20 months' history of left hemifacial spasm. A vertebral angiogram showed an irregular dilatation of the right vertebral artery associated with aneurysmal dilatation at the vertebrobasilar junction. Endovascular obliteration of the abnormally dilated right vertebral artery proximal to the vertebrobasilar junction was performed. The hemifacial spasm gradually improved after the embolisation and disappeared 6 months later. Endovascular proximal obliteration of the vertebral artery may have changed the hemodynamic force inside the aneurysm and eliminated the vascular compression at the root exit zone of the facial nerve. ( info) |
5/92. facial nerve injury following superficial temporal artery biopsy. BACKGROUND: With proper training, superficial temporal artery biopsy is a safe office procedure with few complications. Surgeons from different disciplines, including ophthalmologists, dermatologists, general surgeons, and plastic surgeons may be called upon to perform this common procedure to confirm giant cell arteritis. OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the surgical anatomy of the scalp as it pertains to superficial temporal artery biopsy and to raise awareness that significant complications can occur after superficial temporal artery biopsy. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A 75-year-old woman with presumed giant cell arteritis developed frontalis muscle paralysis following a superficial temporal artery biopsy. biopsy selection site within the danger zone combined with deep dissection carries the greatest risk of injury to the temporal branches of the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: Any surgeon involved in the practice of performing superficial temporal artery biopsies should have a thorough understanding of proper surgical techniques and regional anatomy to avoid potential devastating complications. ( info) |
6/92. Otic capsule fracture with preservation of hearing and delayed-onset facial paralysis. The unusual occurrence of an otic capsule fracture with preservation of hearing is presented. In addition, the patient suffered facial paralysis beginning 6 days after the injury that rapidly recovered. Fifteen-month follow-up reveals stable hearing thresholds. The course of a fracture through the inner ear could be an important factor in determining the potential for hearing preservation. ( info) |
7/92. Combined transcervical transmastoid approach to giant parotid pleomorphic adenoma: a case report. Although rare, giant major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas are among the most astonishing patient presentations. patients may ignore these slow-growing, benign lesions until significant functional impairment occurs. Complete tumor excision and facial nerve preservation in these cases are challenging requirements and are greatly aided by combined transcervical and transmastoid approaches to these lesions. In the presented case, facial nerve monitoring accurately identified the collateralization between the upper and lower divisions of the facial nerve and allowed the required sacrifice of the lower division without the need for facial nerve grafting or reconstruction. The patient recovered full function of all branches. ( info) |
8/92. Injury to the facial nerve associated with the use of a disposable nerve stimulator. Clinical observations and experimental data from this study support the thesis that the disposable Weck nerve locator/stimulator may induce neural damage. This potential damage may cause at least a temporary paresis. Although more study is required to better document the method, degree, and factors influencing injury, we believe that enough evidence is present to induce caution and warrant further study. We recommend that the stimulators be used with caution on the lowest setting possible and with as little contact with the nerve as possible. ( info) |
9/92. Trigeminal pain caused by a cerebellopontine-angle lipoma. Case report and review of the literature. A 16-year-old girl complained of 2-year history of right facial pain, episodic vertigo and progressive hearing loss in the right ear. The facial pain was described as an episodic lancinating event confined to the second and third branch of the right trigeminal nerve. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2 cm lesion in the right cerebellopontine-angle. At surgery, a soft, yellowish mass was found incorporating the 7th and 8th cranial nerves. The anterior-inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) was displaced medially and pushed into the sensory portion of the trigeminal nerve root, causing vascular compression. The hearing loss remained unchanged. The trigeminal pain disappeared over a period of several weeks. patients can be harmed in an attempt to remove these neurovascular nonmalignant, generally non growing, fatty vascular lumps. Only a partial, meticulous removal should be performed with a maximum effort to decompress the affected nerve. ( info) |
10/92. Surgical management of the facial nerve in craniofacial trauma and long-standing facial paralysis: cadaver study and clinical presentations. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Examination of the extratemporal branches of the facial nerve reveals several branching patterns of the facial nerve, indicating the variability in the course of the nerve. Due to such variance, injury to this nerve often accompanies facial trauma and surgical dissection for the repair of facial bone injuries, and it may result in high morbidity. methods AND MATERIALS: A study of 12 fresh cadavers was performed to 1) review the variability in location of the extratemporal branches of the facial nerve, 2) identify the soft tissue injuries in which the facial nerve is at risk, and 3) discuss surgical options for repair. The authors identified the zygomatic and buccal and the extratemporal branches of the facial nerve. Among the five extratemporal branches, there is a significant crossover between all, except the temporal and the mandibular branches. This indicates that dissection should proceed with great caution, since injury to the temporal and marginal mandibular branches is unlikely to resolve spontaneously. The management of injuries within one year and those of longer duration is discussed. RESULTS AND/OR CONCLUSIONS: Two of the 5 major branches of the extratemporal facial nerve have a high morbidity following injury. Repair should be performed within the first 72 hours. Graft, if required, should be placed in 9 to 12 months. ( info) |