Objective computerized versus subjective analysis of facial synkinesis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the sensitivity of an objective, computerized approach to measurement of facial synkinesis with that for a subjective approach and to examine the test-retest reliability of these approaches.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, and blinded.


METHODS
Remote facial motion at the upper eyelids and oral commissures during a closed-lip smile and eyelid closure were measured using a commercially available computerized motion analysis system. Thirty healthy adults with normal facial nerve function were enrolled to establish normative data and a threshold value for synkinesis. Thirty consecutive patients were analyzed based on the synkinesis threshold value. Blinded subjective evaluations by two observers were also performed independently on the same patients.


RESULTS
Facial synkinesis was detected significantly more frequently with objective than subjective analysis for eyelid closure; no significant differences between approaches were shown for the closed-lip smile. Interestingly, five (17%) patients developed early synkinesis within 3 months from the onset of the facial nerve injury. The test-retest reliability of all objective measures was excellent for both expressions. Close agreement in percent of patients with synkinesis between test and retest subjective evaluations was obtained for both observers for both expressions.


CONCLUSIONS
The objective, computerized approach to detection of facial synkinesis has excellent reliability and is more sensitive than the subjective approach to assessment to the presence of facial synkinesis associated with eyelid closure. The finding of early synkinesis suggests that central nervous reorganization plays a role in regeneration of the facial nerve.
Wu
Zhenqing B
ZB
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeryand Department of Communicative Sciences, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA.
Silverman
Carol A
CA
Linstrom
Christopher J
CJ
Tessema
Belachew
B
Cosetti
Maura K
MK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005145:Face / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D046608:Synkinesis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology