Facial Nerve Decompression for Bilateral Facial Paralysis in Temporal Bone Fracture

LI Xiaohong; LIU Fei; WANG Ruoya; HAN Weiju

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2014.03.013

Abstract：Objective The purpose of this rieview is to study management of bilateral facial nerve paralysis in temporal bone fracture. Methods This is a retrospective review of 8 cases of bilateral facial paralysis after bilateral temporal bone frac-ture that were treated with facial nerve decompression on at least one side. High-resolution computed tomography, audiomet-rictests and electromyogram (EMG) were obtained. Evaluation of the facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading scale. The decision for surgery was based mainly on the results of afore mentioned evaluations. Timing and the efficacy of surgical intervention were evaluated by pre-vs. post-operative facial nerve function assessments, as well as com-parison between the operation side and the opposite side. Results All the 8 patients were male, aged between 19 and 49 years. Traffic accident was the most commom cause (5/8). Fracture was longitudinal in all 16 temporal bones, with immediate onset of facial paralysis. Preoperative facial nerve function is between gradesⅤ and Ⅵ, in H-B scale, and with l patient showing bilateral conductive hearing loss, 4 Ratients showing bilateral lugh-frequency sensorineural deafness and 3 Ratients showing normal hearing. Among 8 patients, Facial nerve decompression was performed in 11 ears. H-B gradeⅠ-Ⅱfacial nerve function were aclueved in all cases at follow up (more than l year in some). The only patient with bilateral conductive hearing loss also received bilateral ossicular reconstruction, followed by recovery to normal hearing. Conclusions Traffic crash continues to be themain cause of temporal bone fracture and hilaterd faial paralysis and hilaterd faial paralysis. Facial paralysis caused by tempo-ral bone trauma can be satisfactorily treated with decompression.