Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Facial paralysis associated with glomus jugulare tumors
John P Leonetti1, Douglas E Anderson, Sam J Marzo
1The Loyola Center for Cranial Base Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA. jleonet@lumc.edu
Objective:
To review the intraoperative findings and facial nerve management in nine patients who presented with facial paralysis associated with glomus jugulare tumors.
Study Design:
A retrospective analysis of patient medical records.
Setting:
Tertiary care academic medical center.
Patients:
All patients who presented with facial paralysis and a glomus jugulare tumor who underwent surgical resection of their tumors at our institution.
Intervention:
A postauricular infratemporal fossa approach for tumor removal and greater auricular interposition neural repair.
Main Outcome Measure:
Intraoperative facial nerve findings and long-term facial recovery.
Results:
One hundred two patients underwent a postauricular infratemporal approach for resection of glomus jugulare tumor from July 1988 through July 2005. Nine of these patients presented with ipsilateral facial paralysis. The medial surface of the vertical segment was invaded by tumor in all nine cases. Facial recovery at 2 years was House-Brackmann Grade III in eight patients and Grade IV in one individual. Facial recovery did not significantly change after 2 years (mean follow-up of 7.4 years).
Discussion:
Facial nerve invasion of the vertical segment occurred in 9 (9%) of 101 patients in our series. Facial nerve resection with interposition grafting resulted in House-Brackmann Grade III in eight (89%) of nine patients. Facial nerve dissection and preservation was not possible when preoperative facial paralysis was evident.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Nerves: Types Part I
Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)
The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is unique as it is purely sensory and dedicated to the sense of smell. This nerve originates in the olfactory epithelium of the...
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...