[Facial nerve anomalies found at surgery (author's transl)]

Facial nerve anomalies found at surgery are reported, and are classified as Minor and Severe. A solitary malformation is rare. Duplication of the nerve in its tympanic segment as well as branching within the mastoid bone with an unusual route close to the mastoid cortex was also observed. Malformations of the nerve in connection with other anomalies of the ear were encountered in 20% of all ear anomalies that underwent surgery. There was no direct correlation between the degree of the ear deformity and the facial nerve malformation. Two cases of severe malformations were seen whereby in one with a minor ear deformity the nerve was seen lying at the level of the tympanic membrane. In the other instance the nerve had an additional well developed duplication in the correct position, although a lesion on the duplicated nerve showed that it was non-conductive.