• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2012

Background: Bell's palsy is the most common disease of cranial nerve. While most electrodiagnostic tests can detect the abnormality of facial nerve several days later in Bell's palsy, blink reflex usually reveals the abnormality earlier than other tests. Therefore, we investigated the diagnostic usefulness of blink reflex in the early stage of Bell's palsy. Methods: We performed a prospective investigation in patients with facial palsy. We enrolled patients with Bell's palsy who were evaluated within 7 days of symptom onset and excluded patients with secondary causes of facial palsy. We analyzed the findings of blink reflex according to age, sex, evaluation time, and severity of facial palsy. Results: Of 320 consecutive patients with facial palsy, a total of 204 patients were enrolled. Blink reflex was normal for 10 patients and abnormal for 194 patients. The time interval between the symptom onset and the evaluation time was not associated with the result of blink reflex, but House-Brackmann grade was significantly related to the result of blink reflex (P<0.001). Patients with mild Bell's palsy often showed normal blink reflex. Conclusions: Our study shows that blink reflex is useful diagnostic test regardless of evaluation timing in the early stage of Bell's palsy, although it could be normal in patients with mild Bell's palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.163-171
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Miso Facial rejuvenation Acupuncture on severe cases of facial palsy. Methods : Facial palsy patients over the age of 70 with House-Brackmann grading system(HBGS) above Grade V were treated with Miso Facial rejuvenation Acupuncture. The effects of the treatment were evaluated via scales and picture. Results : Before treatment with Miso Facial rejuvenation acupuncture, the three patients showed H-B Gr V. After treatment, they showed improvement to H-B Gr II, III, and II respectively. There also formed nasolabial folds on the palsied side, with better blinking of the eyes, and improved asymmetry of the left and right face. Conclusions : Miso Facial rejuvenation Acupuncture showed marked improvement in intractable facial palsy. Randomized-controlled trial for further evaluation will be needed in the future.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.48-53
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• 2009

Background: Bell's palsy produces a complex problem that involves not only facial motor weakness, but also psychiatric issues. However, the relationship between facial neuromotor system impairment and psychological adjustment has not been well understood. Methods: We have performed psychological evaluations in patients with acute unilateral Bell's palsy within 2 weeks after onset. Thirty patients with Bell's palsy (10 men, 20 women) were included, who were diagnosed by neurologic examination, electrophysiologic study and/or brain MRI. We measured facial motor scale of impairment (House-Brackmann, HB scale) and psychosocial adjustment [Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)] at the time of initial presentation and 1 month after diagnosis. Results: The age of the enrolled patients ranged from 16 to 80 years. The mean grade of initial and follow up HB scale were 3.87 (SD: 0.63, range 2~5) and 1.77 (SD: 1.10, range 1~5). The mean score of initial and follow up BAI, BDI were 11.93 (range; 0 to 47, SD: 9.65, very low anxiety), 14.73 (range; 0 to 41, SD: 9.21 minimal depression) and 7.5 (range; 0 to 36, SD: 8.58, very low anxiety), 9.33 (range; 0 to 30, SD: 8.19 minimal depression). There was positive correlation between improvement of HB scale and improvement of BAI and BDI score. Conclusions: Bell's palsy is associated with the psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, and the improvement of motor symptom is associated with the improvement of these psychological problems.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.139-148
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement of two patients diagnosed with eight and a half syndrome after combination therapy of oriental and western medicine. Methods : We treated the patients with combination therapy of oriental and western medicine such as acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medication, antithrombotic agents and steroid therapy. Changes of peripheral facial paralysis were evaluated using House-Brackmann facial grading system and the degree of dizziness, tenderness and pain of upper abdomen were assessed using numerous rating scale. Changes in motor grade of upper and lower extremities were evaluated using medical research council scale. Results : We have recently experienced two cases of eight and a half syndrome - a syndrome characterized by the coexistence of one and a half syndrome, a rare ophthalmoparetic syndrome characterized by a conjugate horizontal gaze palsy in one direction and an internuclear ophthalmoplegia in the other, and cranial nerve VII palsy. The one and a half syndrome was caused by acute cerebral infarction. Two patients in this report were improved through combination therapy of oriental and western medicine. Conclusions : We report the clinical course and treatment methods of eight and a half syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.175-187
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of facial rejuvenation acupuncture on cases of sequela of facial nerve palsy. Methods : This study was carried out in respect of 5 cases of sequela of facial nerve palsy patients which had been treated in Dong-Shin university oriental hospital from 2009 year with House-Brackmann grading system(HBGS) above Grade IV. In this study the patients were treated by facial rejuvenation acupuncture. The effect of the treatment were evaluated via scales and picture. Results : After treatment with facial rejuvenation acupuncture, 5 patients improved H-B scale and symptoms of the sequela of facial nerve palsy. The average of H-B scale was increased from 3.2 to 6.4. There also formed forehead folds, better blinking of the eyes and improved asymmetry of the left and right face. Conclusions : In the study, facial rejuvenation acupuncture showed marked improvement in sequela of facial nerve palsy. Randomized-controlled trial for further evaluation will be needed in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.148-156
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• 2009

Objectives : Facial palsy is not uncommon disease and most patients with facial palsy are peripheral type, as in Bell' s palsy. In western medicine, oral steroid is the mainstay of the treatment. Recently, oriental-western treatment became one of the alternative modality for the treatment of the facial palsy. However, the treatment result and the degree of patient' s satisfaction were not evaluated. In this study, we tried to characterize the clinical characteristics, short-term recovery rate and degree of patient' s satisfaction after oriental-western medicine treatment on facial palsy of peripheral type. Methods : Between May 2008 and December 2008, we examined 16 patients who presented with facial palsy of peripheral type in Dongguk University Medical Center. Clinical characteristics and recovery rate was analyzed by retrospective chart review. The degree of patient' s satisfaction was measured by 5 point scale. Results : The causes of facial palsy were Bell' s palsy (87.5%) and the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (12.5%). The highest age groups of facial palsy were 6th and 7th decades. Most frequent accompanying symptom was postauricular pain. After oriental-western medicine treatment, 10 patients (62.5%) showed recovery of facial palsy better than House-Brackmann grade 2. 11 patients (68.8%) were satisfied with the oriental-western medicine treatment. Conclusions : Considering the degree of patient' s satisfaction and treatment result, we believe that oriental-western treatment could be safe and reliable protocol for the treatment of facial nerve palsy of peripheral type.

• 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.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for a patient with peripheral facial palsy caused by cerebellar artery infarction. Methods: A 45-year-old male patient with right facial palsy and left side numbness from cerebellar artery infarction was treated with herbal medicine (ligigeopoongsan), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and cupping therapy for 37 days. The effects were evaluated using the House-Brackmann (H-B) and Yanagihara's unweighted grading systems. Results: Following treatment, the patient's H-B grade decreased and Yanagihara score improved. Conclusion: Korean medical treatment improved peripheral facial palsy in a patient with cerebellar artery infarction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.633-641
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• 2022

Introduction In chronic facial palsy, synkinetic muscle overactivity and shortening causes muscle stiffness resulting in reduced movement and functional activity. This article studies the role of multimodal therapy in improving outcomes. Methods Seventy-five facial palsy patients completed facial rehabilitation before being successfully discharged by the facial therapy team. The cohort was divided into four subgroups depending on the time of initial attendance post-onset. The requirement for facial therapy, chemodenervation, or surgery was assessed with East Grinstead Grade of Stiffness (EGGS). Outcomes were measured using the Facial Grading Scale (FGS), Facial Disability Index, House-Brackmann scores, and the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scale. Results FGS composite scores significantly improved posttherapy (mean-standard deviation, 60.13 ± 23.24 vs. 79.9 ± 13.01; confidence interval, -24.51 to -14.66, p < 0.0001). Analysis of FGS subsets showed that synkinesis also reduced significantly (p < 0.0001). Increasingly, late clinical presentations were associated with patients requiring longer durations of chemodenervation treatment (p < 0.01), more chemodenervation episodes (p < 0.01), increased doses of botulinum toxin (p < 0.001), and having higher EGGS score (p < 0.001). Conclusions This study shows that multimodal facial rehabilitation in the management of facial palsy is effective, even in patients with chronically neglected synkinesis. In terms of the latency periods between facial palsy onset and treatment initiation, patients presenting later than 2 years were still responsive to multimodal treatment albeit to a lesser extent, which we postulate is due to increasing muscle contracture within their facial muscles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.229-238
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• 2006

Background and Objetive : The aim of this study is to report 3 cases of facial palsy following microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm patients. It is a rare disease, with few research on the effect of acupuncture therapy on it. Material and Method : We selected 3 cases of facial palsy following microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm patients, among patients who visited the Facial palsy Clinic of Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center. We treated them with acupuncture therapy(ST6, ST4, BL2, TE17, GV24, GV14, and Ex-HN4 of the healthy side, and LI4 and ST36 of both sides) and aroma therapy. After treatment we observed and checked any changes within clinical symptoms using the House-Brackmann Grade and the Yanagihara's Unweighted Grading System. Result and Conclusion : 1. All three cases were of hemifacial spasm patients who had facial palsy following microvascular decompression. The patients visited 27 months(Case1), 2 months(Case2) and 7 months(Case 3) after the surgery respectively. 2. Period of time till complete recovery is 23 months(Case1), 8 months(Case2) and 3 month (Case3) respectively. 3. All three cases had symptoms of sequelae: retraction of mouth toward the healthy side and involuntary spasm of lips. The later the initiation of treatment after the sugery, the more severe symptoms of sequelae.