Tomographic Examination of the Vertical Part of the Facial Canal in Cases of Bell's Palsy

Abstract

In 41 patients with Bell's palsy of different degrees of severity a tomographic examination has been made of the vertical segment of the aqueduct of Fallopius from the second elbow to the stylomastoid foramen. The width and length of this segment of the canal and the occurrence of mastoid cellulae around the canal displayed large variations. There were, however, no significant differences between the affected and the sound side in the individual subject. A comparison between the findings in the palsy group and those in 30 healthy controls disclosed no significant differences in canal anatomy. The results of the study suggests that variations in the anatomy of the vertical segment of the canal are of only minor importance, if any, for the occurrence of Bell's palsy or for the extent of the damage to the nerve.