[MR imaging for evaluation of severe facial nerve damage in patients with facial nerve palsy].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of MR imaging for the detection of severe facial nerve damage in patients with facial nerve palsy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 26 consecutive patients with facial nerve palsy (13 non-responders and 13 responders). T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and postcontrast T1-weighted images were obtained in all patients. FLAIR images were also obtained in 3 non-responders.

RESULTS

The geniculate ganglion, labyrinthine segment, and tympanic segment or mastoid segment showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in 9 of 13 non-responders, whereas high signal intensity of the nerve was only seen in 1 of 13 responders. FLAIR imaging revealed high signal intensity lesions of the distal intrameatal segment in 2 non-responders. Contrast enhancement of the facial nerve showed a similar pattern in non-responders and responders. High signal intensity lesions on T2-weighted or FLAIR images showed enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted images.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that a high signal intensity area on T2-weighted images is a marker of severe facial nerve damage. FLAIR imaging is useful for identification of T2-prolongation in the distal intrameatal segment.