Post-traumatic peripheral facial nerve palsy: surgical and neuroradiological consideration in five cases of delayed onset.

Abstract

The facial nerve is frequently injured after head trauma with or without temporal bone fractures. Computed tomography (CT) is the best procedure for detecting the fracture line at the level of the facial nerve canal and for assessing any associated lesions within the temporal bone. Magnetic resonance (MR) is required if there is a facial nerve paralysis, unexplained by CT findings. We present five cases of delayed post-traumatic facial nerve palsy without evidence of temporal bone fractures on CT, thus studied on MR. MR was essential for diagnosing the nerve impairment. Neuroradiological findings, clinical presentation, and electrodiagnostic tests influenced the management of the patients.