engleski

Blink reflex in the diagnostics of idiopathic peripheral partial facioparesis

We have studied the Blink-reflex abnormalities on 30 patients suffering from idiopathic peripheral facioparesis. We have measured the amplitudes and the latencies of ipsilateral early phasic component (R1) and the bilateral late tonic component (R2, R2,) on both mm. orbiculares oculi: (1) in the acute phase of the illness, and (2) 1 week and (3) 6 months after the onset of symptoms. All patients have been treated with prednisone. In the group of subjects, in the acute phase, the Blink-reflex showed slightly prolonged latencies and reduced amplitudes of both R1 and R2 on the afflicted side and the normal latencies and amplitudes at the contralateral side. All subjects showed clinical symptoms and the neurogenic EMG changes, while 24 (80%) displayed the Blink-reflex abnormalities. One week after the onset, all patients were still symptomatic and showed the EMG changes, but the latency and amplitude changes of R1 and R2 remained in only 11 (33,3%) of the patients. Six months after the onset of symptoms, 21 (70%) of the patients have become asymptomatic and showed no EMG changes, 7 (23,3%) had no clinical symptoms, but EMG changes could have been observed, while 2 (6,66%) showed the residual weakness and signs of denervation in EMG. Blink-reflex abnormalities, especially the decrease of the R2 amplitude, could have been observed in 6 (20%) patients.We believe that these results suggest that the Blink-reflex is a valuable tool for follow-up and the recovery prognosis for the partial idiopathic facioparesis, especially in the the early recovery phase.

blink reflex; facioparesis; idiopathic

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