Contrast-Enhanced MRI Is Useful for Prognostic Prediction on Idiopathic Bilateral Simultaneous Facial Nerve Palsy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Idiopathic bilateral facial nerve palsy is a rare condition and presents a diagnostic and prognostic challenge. Specifically, when bilateral nerves are damaged, it is difficult to predict the prognosis. We showcase the usefulness of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by providing inf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-02, Vol.16 (2), p.e54719
Main Authors: Shiozaki, Takato, Kaneko, Fumie, Murakami, Daichi, Kono, Masamitsu, Hotomi, Muneki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Antibodies
Case reports
Cerebrospinal fluid
Chicken pox
Edema
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Herpes viruses
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Immune system
Literature reviews
Magnetic resonance imaging
Medical prognosis
Mouth
Neurological disorders
Neurosurgery
Neutrophils
Otolaryngology
Proteins
Radiology
Sarcoidosis
Surgery
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Summary:Idiopathic bilateral facial nerve palsy is a rare condition and presents a diagnostic and prognostic challenge. Specifically, when bilateral nerves are damaged, it is difficult to predict the prognosis. We showcase the usefulness of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by providing information about localization and severity of degeneration of facial nerve. A 70-year-old Japanese man presented with bilateral simultaneous facial nerve palsy of House-Brackmann Grade VI on both sides. Contrast-enhanced MRI revealed bilateral intensity enhancement of intratemporal facial nerves. The signal intensity was higher on the left side than on the right side. Facial nerve decompression was performed on the left side. The left facial nerve palsy was finally improved eight months after the onset, while the right side was improved just under two months after the onset. Contrast-enhanced MRI for facial nerve palsy can provide valuable information for the evaluation of damaged facial nerves. In our patient's case, it was useful as a prognostic predictor of bilateral facial nerve palsy.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.54719