INFLAMMATORY PERIPHERAL FACIAL-NERVE PALS Y - AN OVERVIEW

In inflammatory peripheral facial nerve palsy pathologically intense, linear smooth enhancement of the distal intrameatal nerve segment can always be observed on T1-w- SE- MR sequences. The other nerve segments often present with a pathological enhancement as well. On T2-w- SE se quences, a thickening of the distal intrameatal nerve segment can be o bserved. The pathological enhancement persists over weeks and months; even in patients with complete clinical recovery, a persistent enhance ment of the distal intrameatal nerve segment can be demonstrated. No c orrelation can be established between the intensity of the enhancement , the clinical condition and the electrophysiological data on electron eurography The enhancement of the nerve segments is due to a longlasti ng breakdown of the blood-peripheral nerve-barrier related to the proc ess of degeneration and regeneration of the facial nerve in inflammato ry palsy.