Electrogustometry has become one of the most important and useful diagnostic methods as has audiometry and vestibular function tests in the otolaryngological field. Although much literature, concerning the facial nerve and gustatory function have appeared, still problems remain to be solved in future research. To these points of view, the anatomical relationships of the nerves associated with gustatory function were reviewed and discussed. And also the clinical importance and usability of electrogustometry is emphasized.
Chorda Tympani Nerve/anatomy & histology ; Facial Nerve/anatomy & histology* ; Facial Nerve/physiopathology ; Human ; Taste* ; Taste Disorders/physiopathology

Schwannoma is benign tumor that is originated from the schwann cell. It rarely occurs in the middle ear. Schwannomas of the middle ear may originate from the nerves of the middle ear cavity or by extensions from its neighboring structures. Most schwannomas arising from the middle ear are facial nerve schwannomas. We present a case of a 16-year-old male patient with primary middle ear schwannoma believed to arise from Jacobson's nerves. The tumor was easily dissected from the facial nerve and the chorda tympani nerve. The mass was successfully removed by canal down mastoidectomy, while preserving the hearing and facial nerve functions of the patient.
Adolescent ; Chorda Tympani Nerve ; Ear, Middle ; Facial Nerve ; Hearing ; Humans ; Male ; Neurilemmoma

The classic surgical technique for cochlear implantation was first introduced by House in 1961. This technique includes a mastoidectomy and a posterior tympanotomy, which has been most widely used for cochlear implantation. However, this approach may result in the injury of the chorda tympani nerve or the facial nerve. To avoid the risk of the neural injury, several alternative surgical methods have been developed. The endomeatal approach is one of the several alternative techniques. We present, along with a review of literatures, a case of cochlear implantation using the endomeatal approach performed in a child with an extremely hypoplastic mastoid.
Child* ; Chorda Tympani Nerve ; Cochlear Implantation* ; Cochlear Implants* ; Facial Nerve ; Humans ; Mastoid*

Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor composed of schwann cells. Most schwannoma arising in the middle ear are facial nerve schwannoma. In very rare occasions, schwannoma of the middle ear can arise from chorda tympani nerve. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most common symptoms of patients with schwannoma of chorda tympani nerve and it can be treated by surgical excision. Recently, we treated a male patient with schwannoma of the chorda tympani nerve. This is the first case of schwannoma of the chorda tympani nerve reported in Korea. Herein, we present the case in detail with a review of the related literature.
Chorda Tympani Nerve ; Ear, Middle ; Facial Nerve ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Neurilemmoma ; Schwann Cells ; Tinnitus

Posterior tympanotomy is a procedure performed to access the posterior mesotympanum through a mastoid exposure while preserving the posterior external auditory canal wall. It is dangereous to drill the the site of procedure, as it is surrounded by incuidal fossa superiorly, facial nerve posteriomedially, and chorda tympani nerve anterolaterally, and forms a very narrow pathway. There is always a risk of surgical trauma involving important surgical structures, especially facial nerve and chorda tympani nerve. The development of image-guided surgery (IGS) has significantly improved the performance of many surgical procedures by aiding the identification of surgical landmarks, improving surgical outcomes, rendering the procedure safer and more efficient, especially for beginner otologic surgery, in revision operations, in cases of massive bleeding and tumor of complex anatomy. To see how IGS could help otologic surgeons to identify fine, important structures during posterior tympanotomy, we report a case of posterior tympanotomy in chronic otitis media, which was done using the image-guided surgical technique.
Chorda Tympani Nerve ; Ear Canal ; Facial Nerve ; General Surgery ; Hemorrhage ; Mastoid ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of 3 dimensional-volume MR imaging technique for demonstrating the facial nerves and to describe MR findings in facial palsy patients and evaluate the significance of facial nerve enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR images of facial nerves obtained with 3 Dimensional-volume imaging technique before and after intravenous administration of Gadopentetate dimeglumine in 13 cases who had facial paralysis and 33 cases who had no facial palsy. And we analyzed the detectabilty of anatomical segments of intratemporal facial nerves and facial nerve enhancement. RESULTS: When the 3 Dimensional-volume MR images of 46 nerves were analyzed subjectively, the nerve courses of 43(93%) of 46 nerves were effectively demonstrated on 3 Dimensional-volume MR images. Internal acoustic canal portions and geniculate ganglion of facial nerve were well visualized on axial images and tympanic and mastold segments were well depicted on oblique sagittal images. 10 of 13 patients(77%) were visibly enhanced along at least one segment of the facial nerve with swelling or thickening, and nerves of 8 of normal 33 cases(24%) were enhanced without thickening or swelling. CONCLUSION: MR findings of facial nerve paralysis is asymmetrical thickening of facial nerve with contrast enhancement. The 3 Dimensional-volume MR imaging technique should be a useful study for the evaluation of intratemporal facial nerve disease.
Acoustics ; Administration, Intravenous ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; Facial Nerve* ; Facial Paralysis ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Paralysis

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve*

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve*

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve*

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve*