[Electroneurographic study in facial paralysis]

We studied the facial electroneurography (facial ENoG) in 20 normal subjects and 37 patients with facial palsy and their different etiologies. Facial ENoG was performed for the first time within 3 days after palsy onset. We carried out anamnesis, physical and functional exploration (Schirmer's test, stapedial reflex and electrogustometry) as well as motor valuation and facial ENoG. These last two test were performed, not only in the first 72 hours after the onset, but also 7, 15 and 21 days later, in the first month and in successive months until complete recovery of the facial movement or for six months in cases of partial recovery. We studied two parameters of facial ENoG: amplitude and latency. We discovered that the ENoG revealed the progression of the Wallerian degeneration in the distal nerve beginning from the lesion. Therefore, we consider that the amplitude is the most reliable data in the facial ENoG.