title: Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the facial nerve in herpes zoster oticus and Bell's palsy: clinical implications.
abstract: Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used in the evaluation of the facial nerve in four patients with idiopathic facial paralysis and six with herpes zoster oticus (HZO). Enhancement of the facial nerve was seen in all patients with Bell's palsy, and 50 percent of patients with HZO. The most consistent area of enhancement in both disorders involved the premeatal and labyrinthine segments. Although the images showed changes consistent with the type of viral process that is known to occur in these disorders, we found no significant correlation between the intensity or pattern of facial nerve enhancement on the images, the severity or duration of the disease, or the patient's prognosis for recovery. Nevertheless, gadolinium-enhanced MRI does have a place in the evaluation and decisions for management of select cases of facial paralysis.
authors.affiliation: Facial Paralysis Center, Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korzec
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sobol
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kubal
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mester
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winzelberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D002527:Myoclonic Cerebellar Dyssynergia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA