title: High-frequency ultrasound as an adjunct to neural electrophysiology: Evaluation and prognosis of Bell's palsy.
abstract: Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial nerve paralysis that occurs primarily in young adults. Previously, various methods were used to assess outcomes in facial nerve disease. The aim of the present study was to characterize the main branches of the normal and abnormal facial nerve using high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS). A total of 104 healthy volunteers, 40 patients with acute onset of Bell's palsy and 30 patients who underwent 3-month routine therapy for Bell's palsy disease were included in the study. The healthy volunteers and patients were selected for HFUS examination and VII nerve conduction. The results showed significant differences in nerve diameter, echogenicity, delitescence and amplitude in different groups. Statistically significant correlations were identified for severity grading in one of the experimental groups during HFUS examinations. In conclusion, HFUS as a complementary technique paired with neural electrophysiology may establish the normal values of facial nerve. Additionally, HFUS was beneficial in the process of evaluation and prognosis of Bell's palsy disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Rui-Jun
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ning
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: The First Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The First Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Engineering and Medical Physics, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, Wales, UK; Information Science and Engineering School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hai-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Liang
keywords: Bell's palsy; evaluation and prognosis; high-frequency ultrasound; neural electrophysiology