Related Experiment Videos
[Image analysis system for detection facial paralysis]
B H Suchy1, S R Wolf, A Gebhard
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, F.-A.-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstrasse 1, 91054 Erlangen. bernhard.suchy@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
Background:
Evaluation of facial nerve paresis depends on visual assessment and naturally differs from examiner to examiner. An objective measurement instrument is presented.
Patients And Method:
Facial features are automatically localized by a parametric face model in videos of a face during relaxation and exercises. Gray-level information is analyzed by a special steerable filter and used to identify symmetries. The computer system was tested in 19 individuals.
Results:
Automatic localization of facial features such as the upper arc of the head and ears was correct in 95%, the eyes in 82%, and the mouth in 73%. Lid paresis was correctly recognized in seven of ten (70%) and oral paresis in 10 of 12 (83%) cases. Unaffected eyelid movements were identified in eight of nine (89%) and healthy oral regions in all seven (100%) cases.
Conclusion:
The computer system presented is able to automatically localize facial features and to identify facial nerve paresis. It is a considerable step toward automatic and objective grading of facial nerve paresis.