Department of Neurology, Hamad General Hospital, HMC, Doha, Qatar
Research Article
Electrodiagnostic Blink Reflex and Direct Facial Nerve Stimulation; Prognostic Marker in Facial Diplegia
Author(s): Liaquat Ali*, Adnan Khan, Gholam Adeli, Mohammad Alhatou, Osama Elalamy, Fazal Karim and Ambreen Iqrar
Introduction: Facial nerve palsy is caused by a variety of disorders such as herpes zoster, GBS, otitis media, Lyme disease, HIV, etc. In peripheral lesions, the facial weakness that involves the forehead is usually due to a lesion of the ipsilateral facial nerve, but also can be caused by a central lesion (facial nerve nucleus and tract in the pons). Facial diplegia is an extremely rare condition that occurs in about 0.3% to 2.0% of facial palsy cases with the various central or peripheral disorder. The blink reflex is useful in detecting abnormalities in peripheral and central pathways. Methodology: This is a retrospective study, performed at the Neurophysiology unit, HMC, Doha, Qatar. There were 11 patients with bilateral facial weakness who visited for electrodiagnostic studies. Result: Neurologic manifestations including facial diplegia were 72.7% (8), hypo/areflexia were 72.7% (.. View More»