The value of MR neuroimaging in image evaluation of facial neuritis.
10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2025.01.007
- Author:
Lihua LIU
1
;
Huimin HUANG
2
;
Xiaodong JI
2
;
Wei WANG
3
;
Ming HU
3
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology，Tianjin 1st Central Hospital，Tianjin，300192，China.
2. Department of Radiology，Huang He Hospital.
3. Department of Radiology，Tianjin 1st Central Hospital.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bell facial palsy;
MR neurography;
acute peripheral facial palsy;
facial nerve;
hunt syndrome
- MeSH:
Humans;
Facial Nerve/diagnostic imaging*;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*;
Prospective Studies;
Female;
Male;
Neuroimaging/methods*;
Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging*;
Facial Paralysis/diagnostic imaging*;
Adult;
Middle Aged
- From:
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
2025;39(1):29-41
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To exploring the value of MR neuroimaging for quantitative assessment of the facial nerve and peripheral lymph nodes in patients with acute peripheral facial paralysis. Methods:Based on a prospective experimental design, 32 patients with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy were enrolled in the experiment. Based on MR neuroimaging technology, MR high-resolution thin-layer images of bilateral facial nerves were acquired. The diameters of different segments of the bilateral facial nerve were measured, including the labyrinthine segment, the geniculate ganglion, the horizontal segment, the vertical segment, the stem-mammary foramen segment, the trunk of the parotid segment, the temporal trunk, and the cervical trunk, as well as the quantitative indicators of peri-auricular and parotid lymph nodes（number, length and diameter of the largest lymph nodes）. Differences in quantitative indices of nerve diameter and peripheral lymph nodes between the paraplegic and healthy sides were compared using the paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results:The diameter of geniculate ganglion, mastoid foramen stem, parotid main trunk, temporal facial trunk, and cervical facial trunk were notably increased on the facial paralysis side compared to the contralateral side（P<0.05）. However, no significant differences were observed in the diameter of labyrinthine segment, horizontal segment, or vertical segment compared to the contralateral side. There were significantly more periauricular lymph nodes on the facial paralysis side than the contralateral side（P=0.001）. Conclusion:MR neuroimaging enables the quantitative assessment of structural changes in the facial nerve of patients with acute peripheral facial paralysis, demonstrating nerve enlargement in the geniculate ganglion, stylomastoid foramen segment, main trunk of the parotid segment, temporal facial trunk, and cervical facial trunk. Additionally, an increased number of periauricular lymph nodes is observed on the affected side. These findings may aid clinicians in assessing the efficacy of treatments and predict the prognosis of these patients.
