Paralysie faciale a frigore : de l’étiologie virale à la réalité diagnostique

Contribution of the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System to the evaluation of synkinesis after peripheral facial palsy: A STROBE observational study

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the study was to determine whether the perception of synkinesis by patients with peripheral facial palsy (PFP) matched their clinician's severity assessment. Secondary objectives comprised: (1) to determine whether objective measurement of synkinesis matched the patient's perception; and (2) is to identify factors influencing patients' perceptions.

METHODS

This retrospective study took place from January to May 2020. Forty patients (8 per PFP grade, I-V/VI; 20 women, 20 men) filled out the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and were assessed on the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS). Photographs were analyzed on MEEI-Facegram software.

RESULTS

Perceived synkinesis (total SAQ) matched objective grades (SFGS) (Z=2.89; P=0.004), especially for smiling (Z=3.84; P<0.001) and lip protrusion (Z=3.79; P<0.001). Synkinesis on lip protrusion was a more sensitive indicator of perceived synkinesis than synkinesis on smiling (Z=2.96; P=0.003). Duration (ρ=0.5137; P<0.001) and grade of PFP (Chi²=13.82; P=0.008) heightened the perception of synkinesis.

CONCLUSION

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) such as the SAQ are relevant for clinical evaluation.

The presence of herpes simplex-1 and varicella zoster viruses is not related with clinical outcome of Bell's Palsy

Bell's Palsy is the most frequent acute neuropathy of cranial nerves; it has been associated in various reports to herpes viruses. In a prospective study we searched the presence of DNA from five herpes viruses (HSV-1 and 2, VZV, EBV and HHV-6) in 79 patients at the acute phase of Bell's Palsy. Results were related with various parameters; age, gender and clinical outcome. We found the significant presence (p˂0.001) of HSV-1 and VZV in 39% and 42% of patients. However, a large percentage of cases were negative. When comparisons were made between subgroups according to gender and age no differences were found with viral findings nor with clinical outcome of palsy, which was of clinical remission in most cases (78%). Our results suggest that herpes viruses might participate in the complex mechanisms of autoimmunity of Bell's Palsy but not as determinant etiological element.

[Bell's palsy]

Idiopathic peripheral facial palsy, also named Bell's palsy, is the most common cause of peripheral facial palsy in adults. Although it is considered as a benign condition, its social and psychological impact can be dramatic, especially in the case of incomplete recovery. The main pathophysiological hypothesis is the reactivation of HSV 1 virus in the geniculate ganglia, leading to nerve edema and its compression through the petrosal bone. Patients experience an acute (less than 24 hours) motor deficit involving ipsilateral muscles of the upper and lower face and reaching its peak within the first three days. Frequently, symptoms are preceded or accompanied by retro-auricular pain and/or ipsilateral face numbness. Diagnosis is usually clinical but one should look for negative signs to eliminate central facial palsy or peripheral facial palsy secondary to infectious, neoplastic or autoimmune diseases. About 75% of the patients will experience spontaneous full recovery, this rate can be improved with oral corticotherapy when introduced within the first 72 hours. To date, no benefit has been demonstrated by adding an antiviral treatment. Hemifacial spasms (involuntary muscles contractions of the hemiface) or syncinesia (involuntary muscles contractions elicited by voluntary ones, due to aberrant reinnervation) may complicate the disease's course. Electroneuromyography can be useful at different stages: it can first reveal the early conduction bloc, then estimate the axonal loss, then bring evidence of the reinnervation process and, lastly, help for the diagnosis of complications.

[Idiopathic facial paralysis in children]

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of idiopathic facial palsy in children to suggest appropriate treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on children with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial palsy from 2007 to 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 37 cases (13 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 13.9 years were included in this analysis. The mean duration between onset of Bell's palsy and consultation was 3 days. Of these patients, 78.3% had moderately severe (grade IV) or severe paralysis (grade V on the House and Brackmann grading). Twenty-seven patients were treated in an outpatient context, three patients were hospitalized, and seven patients were treated as outpatients and subsequently hospitalized. All patients received corticosteroids. Eight of them also received antiviral treatment. The complete recovery rate was 94.6% (35/37). The duration of complete recovery was 7.4 weeks.

DISCUSSION

Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a very good prognosis. The complete recovery rate exceeds 90%. However, controversy exists regarding treatment options. High-quality studies have been conducted on adult populations. Medical treatment based on corticosteroids alone or combined with antiviral treatment is certainly effective in improving facial function outcomes in adults. In children, the recommendation for prescription of steroids and antiviral drugs based on adult treatment appears to be justified.

CONCLUSION

Randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population are recommended to define a strategy for management of idiopathic facial paralysis.

Contralateral facial nerve palsy following mandibular second molar removal: is there co-relation or just coincidence?

Peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) is the most common cranial nerves neuropathy. It is very rare during dental treatment. Classically, it begins immediately after the injection of local anaesthetic into the region of inferior dental foramen and it's homolateral to the injection. Recovery takes a few hours, normally as long the anaesthetic lasts. The authors present a 44-year-old patient who presented a contralateral delayed-onset facial paralysis arising from dental procedure and discuss the plausible pathogenesis mechanism of happen and a possible relationship between dental procedure and contralateral FNP.