• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture treatment with those of collaborative treatment regarding acute Bell's palsy. Methods Twenty-six patients who received outpatient treatment between March 2012 and February 2013 were divided into 2 groups. The East-West treatment group (EW group, n=12) received prednisolone and then acupuncture afterwards. The Eastern treatment group (E group, n=14) received just acupuncture. Acupuncture was administered 3 to 4 times a week, and both groups were educated to practice facial muscle exercises at home. Evaluations were made before treatment, after 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks using the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system. Results Compared to before treatment, the House-Brackmann grades of both EW and E groups after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment significantly decreased (p<0.05). Regarding group comparison, the House-Brackmann grade of the EW group was significantly lower than the E group at 1 week (p=0.043), but there was no significant difference at 2 and 3 weeks. Regarding improvement of House-Brackmann grades, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 1, 2 and 3 weeks (p>0.05). Conclusions Compared to just acupuncture treatment, collaborative treatment with prednisolone significantly improved the House-Brackmann grade after 1 week, but there was no difference as time passed. Because early intervention determines the prognosis of Bell's palsy, collaborative treatment at the early stage will be clinically helpful to patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.989-996
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to report a rare case of bilateral facial palsy after endoscopy and the effects of a series of traditional Korean medicine treatments applied to the patient. The patient was treated with Western oral medications for seven days and then with traditional Korean medicine consisting of acupuncture, moxa, and herbal medicine (Dodamgeopung-san-gami and Yukgungeopung-san-gami) for two months. Treatment progress was measured using the House-Brackmann grading system and Yanagihara's unweighted grading scale. We were able to notice some improvements in the patient's symptoms: the House-Brackmann scale went from 5/4 to 2/1, and the Yanagihara scale from 13/16 to 38/40. This study thus reports that traditional Korean medicine treatments can be applied to bilateral facial palsy found in rare cases and still be effective.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2015

This study examines a clinical progress of treatment for the sequelae of facial palsy through Jung-ahn acupuncture. The patient in this case was diagnosed with facial paralysis a few years ago. The patient was treated with Korean medicine and Western medicine, but was given up without improvement. The paretic symptom was found out in left side of the face. Also facial spasm and epiphora caused by blepharoptosis were existed. The patient got 8 times Jung-ahn acupuncture treatment from September 18th, 2014 to September 26th, 2014. House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system(H-B scale) was implemented. On the first time of the treatment, H-B scale was Grade Ⅴ and facial nerve grading was 2/8. Facial spasm and epiphora caused by blepharoptosis in lower eyelid were appeared on facial expressions and conversation. After total 8 treatments(therapies), H-B scale was Grade Ⅲ and facial nerve grading was 5/8. The symptoms of facial paralysis and blepharoptosis were improved. Jung-ahn acupuncture is estimated to be effective in facial palsy sequela. More cases are required to develop treatment of facial palsy sequela.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.929-939
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• 2022

This case report determines the effects of Korean medicine treatment on a pontine hemorrhage with a cavernous malformation. In this study, Korean medicine treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and moxibustion, were administered for 30 days. During the hospitalization period, evaluations were performed using the Scott and Kraft Scale, eye movement, 9-gaze photography, the House-Brackmann grading system, and Yanagihara's unweighted grading system on days 1, 12, and 30. The Scott and Kraft Scale increased from -4 to -2, while eye movement increased from 43.1% to 72.3%. The House-Brackmann grading system improved from 4 to 2, and Yanagihara's unweighted grading system increased from 13 to 31. We also discovered that the movement of the left eye was improved by 9-gaze photography. Our findings suggest that Korean medicine treatment has potential effects on esotropia and facial palsy caused by a pontine hemorrhage with a cavernous malformation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.76-86
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• 2001

Herpes zoster oticus which is called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, geniculate ganglion herpes and otic herpes, is characterized by a viral prodrome with otalgia, vesicular eruptions, facial paralysis, hearing disturbance, tinnitus, vertigo and other symtoms. Among cranial nerves, trigeminal and facial nerves are the most commonly affected in patients with herpes zoster oticus, but on rare occasions 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th cranial nerves and even the upper cervical nerve are influenced as well.. In general, it has poor prognosis compared with Bell's palsy, leaving permanent facial nerve dysfunction. We report a case of Herpes zoster oticus, which was fully recovered by acupuncture and herbal medication within 12 days. We used $FEMA^{11)}$ and House-Brackmann's grading system to assess the degree of paralysis in each part of face.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2014

Objective : Facial nerve palsy is a common complication of treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS), so preserving facial nerve function is important. The preoperative visualization of the course of facial nerve in relation to VS could help prevent injury to the nerve during the surgery. In this study, we evaluate the accuracy of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for preoperative identification of facial nerve. Methods : We prospectively collected data from 11 patients with VS, who underwent preoperative DTT for facial nerve. Imaging results were correlated with intraoperative findings. Postoperative DTT was performed at postoperative 3 month. Facial nerve function was clinically evaluated according to the House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve grading system. Results : Facial nerve courses on preoperative tractography were entirely correlated with intraoperative findings in all patients. Facial nerve was located on the anterior of the tumor surface in 5 cases, on anteroinferior in 3 cases, on anterosuperior in 2 cases, and on posteroinferior in 1 case. In postoperative facial nerve tractography, preservation of facial nerve was confirmed in all patients. No patient had severe facial paralysis at postoperative one year. Conclusion : This study shows that DTT for preoperative identification of facial nerve in VS surgery could be a very accurate and useful radiological method and could help to improve facial nerve preservation.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.303-309
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• 2021

Background: Transferring the hypoglossal nerve to the facial nerve using an end-to-end method is very effective for improving facial motor function. However, this technique may result in hemitongue atrophy. The ansa cervicalis, which arises from the cervical plexus, is also used for facial reanimation. We retrospectively reviewed cases where facial reanimation was performed using the ansa cervicalis to overcome the shortcomings of existing techniques of hypoglossal nerve transfer. Methods: The records of 15 patients who underwent hypoglossal nerve transfer were retrospectively reviewed. Three methods were used: facial reanimation with hypoglossal nerve transfer (group 1), facial nerve reanimation using the ansa cervicalis (group 2), and sural nerve interposition grafting between the hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve (group 3). In group 1, the ansa cervicalis was coapted to neurotize the distal stump of the hypoglossal nerve in a subset of patients. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading system and Emotrics software. Results: All patients in group 1 (n= 4) achieved H-B grade IV facial function and showed improvements in the oral commissure angle at rest (preoperative vs. postoperative difference, 6.48° ± 0.77°) and while smiling (13.88° ± 2.00°). In groups 2 and 3, the oral commissure angle slightly improved at rest (group 2: 0.95° ± 0.53°, group 3: 1.35° ± 1.02°) and while smiling (group 2: 2.06° ± 0.67°, group 3: 1.23° ± 0.56°). In group 1, reduced tongue morbidity was found in patients who underwent ansa cervicalis transfer. Conclusion: Facial reanimation with hypoglossal nerve transfer, in combination with hypoglossal nerve neurotization using the ansa cervicalis for complete facial palsy patients, might enable favorable facial reanimation outcomes and reduce tongue morbidity. Facial reanimation using the ansa cervicalis or sural nerve for incomplete facial palsy patients did not lead to remarkable improvements, but it warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2022

Two patients with sequelae of peripheral facial nerve palsy were treated with Facial Chuna Manual Therapy (FCMT) and acupuncture over 6 months. The House-Brackmann (HB) scale, facial nerve grading system 2.0 (FNGS), the scale of Peitersen, the scale of Murata, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were used to assess the effects of treatment. The HB scale, FNGS and NRS scores showed improvement for both patients (Case 1: HB scale 5 to 3, FNGS 4 to 2, NRS 10 to 5; Case 2: HB scale 5 to 3, FNGS 4 to 3, NRS 10 to 2.5) following 6 months of treatment. The scores for the Peitersen and Murata scales showed improvement over 6 months in Case 1 (Peitersen 2 to 1, Murata 10 to 7), but there was no change in Case 2 over the test period (4 months). FCMT and acupuncture may help patients with sequelae of facial palsy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.929-940
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports on the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for peripheral facial nerve palsy and sleep disorders that occur after microvascular decompression. Methods: A 57-year-old female patient with right facial palsy was treated with herbal medicines and acupuncture for 36 days. The treatment effect was evaluated using the House Brackmann Grading System (HBGS), Yanagihara's Unweighed Grading System (Yanagihara's score), and the Korean Modified Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (KMLSEQ). Results: Following treatment, the patient showed a decrease in HBGS and an improvement in Yanagihara's score and KMLSEQ score. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in reducing facial nerve palsy. Further clinical research on patients with facial nerve palsy is needed.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2021

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of SJS non-resistance technique-facial palsy (SJSNRT-F) using Korean medicine treatment on facial nerve palsy through three case studies. Methods SJSNRT-F, with other Korean medicine treatments, was performed on three patients who underwent treatment at OO Korean Medicine Hospital from March 2021 to August 2021. Additionally, the House-Brackmann grading system (H-B grade) and Yanagihara's unweighted grading system (Yanagihara's score) were evaluated in these patients. Results There was a significant increase in the Yanagihara scores. Except for one patient who was discharged early, two patients showed improvement in the H-B grade. Conclusions This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment including SJSNRT-F may affect the treatment of facial nerve palsy. However, better clinical studies are needed to confirm the same.