title: Subtotal facial nerve decompression for recurrent facial palsy in Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Subtotal facial nerve decompression seems effective to prevent further episodes of facial palsy and promote facial nerve recovery for recurrent facial palsy in Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome (MRS). The main inflammatory sites of recurrent facial palsy in MRS may be the mastoid segment, tympanic segment, geniculate ganglion, and labyrinthine segment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present our surgical experience in preventing further episodes of facial palsy and improving facial nerve recovery of patients with recurrent facial palsy in MRS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed transmastoid subtotal facial nerve decompression on eight patients with recurrent facial palsy in MRS. They were followed up for 3.3 years on average (range 2-5 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no further attacks of facial palsy in any of the cases. Seven cases (87.5%) recovered to grade I or grade II, and three of eight cases (37.5%) recovered completely. We found obvious edema of the facial nerve at the mastoid segment in all cases, at the tympanic segment and geniculate ganglion in five cases (62.5%), and at the labyrinthine segment in only one case (12.5%).
authors: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Center Tsinghua University.
authors: Chuanfu
authors: C
authors: Dai
authors: Jiandong
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Shiming
authors: S
authors: Yang
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Zhao
authors: Shui
authors: S
authors: Feng
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Zhiyao
authors: Z
authors: Song
authors: Jieyu
authors: J
authors: Lu
authors: Kun
authors: K
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008556:Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult