Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology
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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol · May 2017
The role of facial canal diameter in the pathogenesis and grade of Bell's palsy: a study by high resolution computed tomography.
The exact etiology of Bell's palsy still remains obscure. The only authenticated finding is inflammation and edema of the facial nerve leading to entrapment inside the facial canal. ⋯ We found the diameter of labyrinthine segment of facial canal as an anatomic risk factor for Bell's palsy. We also found significant relationship between the HB grade and FC diameter at the level of second genu. Future studies (MRI-CT combined or 3D modeling) are needed to promote this possible relevance especially at second genu. Thus, in the future it may be possible to selectively decompress particular segments in high grade BP patients.