Neurophysiological criteria for the diagnosis and prognosis of facial nerve neuropathy in children
Electromyography bindings of blink reflex, visual and acoustic evoked potentials have been studied in 35 children with facial nerve neuropathy (FNN), 20 children with FNN being manifested for the first time and 15 children being affected with recurrent type. Blink reflex analysis in FNN has revealed trifacial and controlateral facial nerve pathology in 10-20% cases. Factors essentional for rehabilitation and development of complications were the following: (1) duration of conduction block along trigeminis-facial nerve arch, (2) conduction block association, according to the blink reflex, with the absence of M-response in direct facial nerve stimulation, (3) a coefficient of M-response amplitude ratio on affected and intact sides, (4) P100 latency disturbance and its wave like rehabilitation during 4-6 months. Recurrent FNN was characterized by: (1) R1 latency increase and ipsilateral R2 in stimulation on intact side, (2) P100 latency fluctuations without returning to normal state, (3) bilateral increase of III peak latency and I-III intervals.