• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2000

This study is designed to evaluate the clinical implications of Gd-DPTA (Gadolinium-diethyl enetriamine pentacetic acid) enhanced MRI(Magnetic resonance imaging) in Bell's palsy and find it's usefulness in Oriental Medicine In this study, 25 outparients with Bell's palsy were studied that MRI was performed. To evaluate degree of facial palsy, H-B(House-Brackmann) Grade was used. In Oriental Medical therapy, Acupuncture and Herbal medicine were treated. Subjective cause was divided into exposure to chill, fatigue, stress, mixed cases. Enhanced site was compared with symptoms which were disorder of eye, hearing, taste, and facial muscle palsy. Also, Relation between time which was performed MRI and enhancement was analyzed. The enhanced lesion in MRI was divided into five segments; Internal audiitory canal, Labyrinthine segment, Geniculate ganglion, Tympanic segment, Mastoid segment. In Bell's palsy, 20 of 25 patients(80%) had abnormal contrast enhancement of the facial nerve. The H-B grade and interval performed MRI from onset were directly proportionate to enhancement. That is to say, Severe facial palsy short interval show high possibility of enhancement. There was no relation between subjective causes and enhanced site of facial nerve in MRI. Also Clinical symptoms didn't coincide with MRI findings.