3D-FLAIR MRI in facial nerve paralysis with and without audio-vestibular disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with facial nerve paralysis, significant difference was observed on three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) between those with and without audio-vestibular disturbance. This MRI technique may contribute to elucidation of the pathology of Ramsay Hunt syndrome and Bell's palsy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the 3D-FLAIR MRI findings in patients who have facial nerve paralysis with and without audio-vestibular disturbance.


METHODS
3D-FLAIR MRI was performed with and without gadolinium enhancement in 15 patients (5 men and 10 women) with unilateral facial nerve paralysis: 3 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, 3 patients having facial nerve paralysis with hearing loss or vertigo without vesicles, and 9 patients with Bell's palsy.


RESULTS
Five of the six patients with audio-vestibular disturbance showed high signals in the inner ear on precontrast 3D-FLAIR. In comparison, among nine patients with Bell's palsy, only one patient showed high signals in the inner ear on precontrast 3D-FLAIR (p < 0.05).
Nakata
Seiichi
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. seisay@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Mizuno
Terukazu
T
Naganawa
Shinji
S
Sugiura
Makoto
M
Yoshida
Tadao
T
Teranishi
Masaaki
M
Sone
Michihiko
M
Nakashima
Tsutomu
T
D000328:Adult; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications