New development in intraoperative video monitoring of facial nerve: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study proposes an evolution of an intraoperative video-based facial nerve monitoring system for otologic and otoneurosurgical procedures in comparison with classical electromyographic (EMG) monitoring method.


METHODS
Single-subject design study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center, university clinic.


METHODS
Fifteen patients undergoing a translabyrinthine approach for removal of 2 cm or less acoustic neuroma.


METHODS
Intraoperative monitoring during acoustic neuroma removal.


METHODS
Measurement of mouth angle displacement and EMG peak amplitude at different stimulation intensities were measured and compared to evaluate the validity and reliability of the proposed new system.


RESULTS
The electrophysiologic method has been shown to be slightly more sensitive, although it shows limitations especially in terms of electrical artifacts during cauterization, totally masking the EMG monitoring.


CONCLUSIONS
The present version of video system can be considered as valid and reliable as EMG; its main advantages are the absence of electrical artifacts, less invasivity, and much less cost.
De Seta
Elio
E
Department of Neurology and Otolaryngology, Sapienza-Università di Roma, Rome, Italy. edeseta@yahoo.it
Bertoli
GianAntonio
G
De Seta
Daniele
D
Covelli
Edoardo
E
Filipo
Roberto
R
D016477:Artifacts; D002425:Cautery; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012984:Software; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery