title: Quantitative ultrasonography of facial muscles in patients with chronic facial palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we introduce quantitative facial muscle ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for patients with chronic unilateral facial palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscle area, thickness, and echo intensity of 6 facial muscles (frontalis, orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis) and of 2 chewing muscles (temporalis and masseter, as controls) were measured in 20 patients with chronic facial palsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aside from 1, all facial muscles were significantly smaller on the paralyzed side. With exception of frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles, all other facial muscles showed significantly higher echo intensity on the affected side. Muscle size and echo intensity of the chewing muscles showed no side-to-side asymmetry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantitative ultrasound of facial muscles helps to better characterize their status in patients with chronic facial palsy in the phase of denervation and during regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Lessingstrasse 2, D-07740, Jena, Germany; Facial Nerve Center, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd Fabian
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohlmann
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finkensieper
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guntinas-Lichius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003714:Denervation; D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012038:Regeneration; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: facial muscles; facial nerve; facial palsy; mimetic muscles; quantitative sonography; reconstructive surgery