Role of post-operative electroneuronography in predicting facial nerve recovery after acoustic neuroma removal: a pilot study

Complete clinical facial paralysis immediately after acoustic neuroma removal occurs in between 40 to 90 per cent of patients despite the fact that the facial nerve has been preserved anatomically. Some of these patients improve rapidly with adequate cosmetic and functional recovery. Others however, have incomplete or no return of useful function. A pilot study to assess the prognostic value of electroneuronography (ENOG) in 14 patients following acoustic neuroma removal was performed. The results suggest that post operative ENOG is of value in dividing those patients with anatomically intact facial nerves yet complete clinical paralysis post-operatively into groups: one with rapid improvement to an acceptable functional and cosmetic result and one with prolonged paralysis with incomplete or no recovery. Electroneuronography may thus be used to predict the initial recovery profile in patients with complete facial paralysis after surgery.