title: A comparison of facial nerve grading systems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare a computerized tool to standard objective clinical scales for global and zone-specific assessment of facial nerve function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of 77 patients with facial paralysis who underwent facial videography. Videos were independently scored by 3 facial nerve specialists using the House-Brackmann Scales (HBI and HBII). Digital scoring was performed with Facogram software. Scores were recorded and compared using intraclass and Pearson (r) correlations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interobserver correlation was high with HBII, with overall scores in excellent agreement (intraclass correlation range, 0.78-0.95; P ≤ 0.0001). There were strong correlations between Facogram and HBII (r ≥ 0.67, P ≤ 0.0001) and strong intraobserver correlations between HBI and HBII (r ≥ 0.71, P ≤ 0.0001). The HBII required more clinician time [mean (SD), 72 (21) seconds per case], compared with Facogram, which did not require any clinician time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An automated, zone-specific facial analysis tool can eliminate clinician subjectivity and allow standardized assessment of facial paralysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Linda_lee@meei.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Linda N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Srinivas M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Susarla
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: H Hohman
authors.forename: Douglas K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Henstrom
authors.forename: Mack L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cheney
authors.forename: Tessa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hadlock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014743:Videotape Recording