PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CLINICAL, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL, AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHANGES IN FACIAL NERVE NEUROPATHIES ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA

Abstract

Facial nerve neuropathies represent an important clinical problem among disorders of the peripheral  nervous system and may lead to paresis of the facial muscles, facial asymmetry, incomplete eye  closure, synkinesis, contractures, and varying degrees of residual neurological deficit. Although  peripheral facial nerve injury may be caused by various etiological factors, long-standing purulent  inflammatory processes of the middle ear are of particular clinical importance.