title: Post-traumatic peripheral facial nerve palsy: surgical and neuroradiological consideration in five cases of delayed onset.
abstract: The facial nerve is frequently injured after head trauma with or without temporal bone fractures. Computed tomography (CT) is the best procedure for detecting the fracture line at the level of the facial nerve canal and for assessing any associated lesions within the temporal bone. Magnetic resonance (MR) is required if there is a facial nerve paralysis, unexplained by CT findings. We present five cases of delayed post-traumatic facial nerve palsy without evidence of temporal bone fractures on CT, thus studied on MR. MR was essential for diagnosing the nerve impairment. Neuroradiological findings, clinical presentation, and electrodiagnostic tests influenced the management of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Second University of Naples, CTO Hospital, Italy. michele.rotondo@unina2.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Avanzo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pascale
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scuotto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D020205:Skull Fracture, Basilar / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult