Experiments on antidromic evoked potentials of the facial nerve. A possible electroneurodiagnostic examination of intratemporal facial nerve paralysis.

Registering of AEPs of the facial nerve was attempted both in animals and in human subjects. In animal experiments using cats and guinea pigs, electrical stimulus was given to the zygomatic branch. The neural responses registered from the electrode placed on the fallopian canal or on the posterior wall of the external auditory canal were verified to be the AEP. The AEP appeared to be a sensitive and simultaneous indicator of the neural compression damage. In the human experiments, the three major peripheral branches were transcutaneously stimulated, and the AEPs were registered in the depth of the external auditory canal. The marginal mandibular branch was thought to be the most suitable branch of the transcutaneous stimulation for human application. The AEPs registered from a patient with Bell's palsy was demonstrated.