Application of Electroneurography and Blink Reflex in Patients with Facial Paralysis

Objective: The electroneurography and blink reflex in patients with facial paralysis(Bell palsy) have been evaluated.Methods: Electroneurography and blink reflex were measured in 42 patients with facial paralysis 10 days and in 24 cases 3 months after the onset.Results: The ipsilateral R1,R2 and R2' waves were absent in 12 cases,and the latencies of R1,R2 and R2' were prolonged in 30 cases.In all,the abnormal rate was 100%.In 28 cases latent period was prolonged,and wave amplitude was lowered in the facial nerve in the ipsilateral side,and the wave was absent in 1 case,and the abnormal rate in electroneurography was 69.1 % in total.Three months later,2 of 8 patients with absent R1 waves were observed to have waves to some degree,and 10 out of 16 cases with prolonged R1 waves to have normal waves.Conclusion: Blink reflex could be used as an objective index for the early diagnosis of facial paralysis,and it has an important role in evaluating the degrees of facial nerve and prognosis.