The evaluation of facial nerve canal diameter in patients with ipsilateral recurrent idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis

Objective This study evaluated the effects of the diameter of facial canal segments on the ipsilateral recurrence of idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis. Method This study enrolled 20 patients with ipsilateral recurrent idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis. Measurements were made at the meatal foramen and mid-level of the labyrinthine segment and the narrowest and widest diameters of the mastoid and tympanic segments using the curved planar reformation technique with high-resolution computed tomography. Results The diameters of the labyrinthine segment measured at the meatal foramen and mid-level segments and the narrowest and widest diameters of the tympanic and mastoid segments on the recurrent paralytic side were significantly smaller than the diameters of the segments on the healthy side. Conclusion The narrowness of the facial canal segments may be a risk factor in recurrent idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis.