The stapedial reflex as a topographical marker of proximal involvement of the facial nerve in leprosy. A pilot study

This study aimed to determine the parameters necessary for a study of stape dial reflexes in leprosy patients to ascertain if the facial nerve is invol ved more proximally than the stylomastoid foramen. It involved leprosy pati ents with and without facial nerve involvement and non-leprosy controls. Cl inical examination of the patients' ears, a tympanogram and audiogram to ex clude conductive and sensorineural dearness, followed by the measurement of a stapedial reflex and the acoustic reflex threshold, were carried out. Th e number of absent reflexes and the acoustic reflex thresholds did not diff er between the three groups of subjects. A definitive study would be logist ically impossible. Suggestions are made as to more exact patient selection in order to demonstrate any stapedial reflex changes due to leprosy. The fi ndings of this study do not suggest that facial nerve pathology extends pro ximally to the stylomastoid foramen, unless such proximal involvement is su bclinical to the detection methods used.