It is important to determine whether denervation of facial nerve is occurring in the management of the patient with facial nerve dysfunction. Electromyographic examination with facial nerve conduction study and nerve excitability test were done and analysed, and the status of recovry was discussed in 32 patients from 2 to 70 years of age. On EMG fibrillation potentials at rest were detected from 1 week to 7 months after paralysis, most profuse and frequent on 4 weeks after onset. Positive sharp waves were observed from 3, 4 weeks to 4 months and fascicullation potentials from 5 months to 15 years after onset. No motor unit on volition was noted from 1 week to 5 months after paralysis. Nascent units were doubtful in a week after onset, but frequent in 3 to 4 weeks and noted until 4 months. Since 2 weeks after paralysis polyphasic potentials were detected and normal motor unit and interference patterns were also shown since 2 weeks until 15 years after onset. Facial nerve conduction latency using orbicularis oris was 2.94 msec in normal side and 5.07 msec in paralyzed side. Using frontalis it was 2.68 msec in normal side and 3.70 msec in lesion side. Nerve excitability test was done using risorius and the threshold was 1.97 ma in normal side and 4.37 ma in palsied side. Follow-up study could be done in 17 patients. The 11 patients with small motor units were recovered relatively good both on EMG and clinically 41.5 days after physiotherapy and 43.7 days after onset of paralysis. The 6 patients who showed fibrillation potentials or no motor unit on volitional contraction were recovered slowly and not even completely 78.8 days after physiotherapy and 121.5 days after paralysis. |