title: Grading facial nerve function: why a new grading system, the MoReSS, should be proposed.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the interobserver variability of a new grading system to the currently recommended House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with a facial nerve paresis/paralysis (whatever the cause).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were evaluated for their facial nerve function by three observers, independently, using both the new system and the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  The level of agreement between the three observers using both scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the movement, rest, secondary defects, and subjective scoring grading scale, a higher percentage of agreement between the observers was noticed than with the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The movement, rest, secondary defects, and subjective scoring grading system is more useful for grading facial nerve dysfunction in clinical practice than the House-Brackmann Grading Scale.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.a.deru@kmb.azu.nl
authors.forename: J Alexander
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Ru
authors.forename: Weibel W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Braunius
authors.forename: Peter Paul G
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: van Benthem
authors.forename: Wim B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Busschers
authors.forename: Gerrit Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hordijk
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies