Audiologic Outcomes After Vestibulotomy in Patients With Congenital Absence of the Oval Window.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical features and surgical outcomes in patients with congenital absence of the oval window (CAOW), and to investigate the potential factors that affect audiologic results. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: A tertiary academic center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: A total of 17 ears among 16 patients were confirmed to have CAOW. Among them, 13 ears underwent vestibulotomy for hearing reconstruction. Clinical parameters associated with the hearing outcomes were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A mean air-bone gap (ABG) after 6-month and long-term follow-up was compared with preoperative measurements. RESULTS: Intraoperative findings showed that anomalies of the malleus or incus were observed in 11 ears (64.7%), stapes anomalies were present in all ears (100%), and facial nerve anomalies were present in 10 ears (58.8%). Because of unfavorable facial nerve anomalies, hearing reconstruction was aborted in four cases (23.5%). In the hearing reconstruction group, the mean ABG at 6 months postoperation was significantly reduced after compared with the preoperative value (44.0 ± 8.4 dB versus 58.8 ± 9.1 dB, p = 0.006). After dividing ears into a success subgroup (ABG ≤ 30 dB, seven ears) and non-success subgroup (ABG > 30 dB, six ears), the use of a drill during vestibulotomy was significantly related to a poor hearing outcome (100% versus 16.7%, p = 0.015). The long-term follow-up result (mean, 60 mo) revealed no deterioration compared with the 6-month postoperative result. Five ears (29.4%) underwent revision surgery, and three of them showed ABG improvements. No serious complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Vestibulotomy is an effective and safe option for hearing restoration in patients with CAOW, particularly when the use of a drill is not required. The long-term audiologic outcome is also reliable.

Fenestration of the facial nerve by the stylomastoid artery.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic landmarks such as the tympanomastoid suture line, posterior belly of the digastric muscle, tragal pointer, and styloid process can assist the parotid surgeon in identifying and preserving the facial nerve. Vascular structures such as the posterior auricular artery and its branch, the stylomastoid artery, lay in close proximity to the facial nerve and have been proposed as landmarks for the identification of the facial nerve. In this case report, we describe an anatomic variation in which the stylomastoid artery has fenestrated the main trunk of the facial nerve, dividing it in two. METHODS: Two patients underwent parotidectomy (one for a pleomorphic adenoma, the second for a parotid cyst) through a standard anterograde approach with identification of the usual facial nerve landmarks. RESULTS: The appearance of the main trunk of the facial nerve was unusual in both patients due to its being fenestrated by the stylomastoid artery. The stylomastoid artery was divided, and the remainder of the facial nerve dissection was performed uneventfully with subsequent resection of the parotid mass in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: In rare instances, the stylomastoid artery can penetrate through the common trunk of the facial nerve. This is an important anatomic variant for the parotid surgeon to be aware of, as it can increase the difficulty of facial nerve dissection.

[Analysis of the effect of different facial nerve managements applied to tumor resection in the jugular foramen region].

Objective:To summarize the results of different facial nerve management modalities applied to tumor resection in the jugular foramen region. Methods:The clinical data of 54 patients with tumors in the jugular foramen region who underwent surgery from January 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed: 18 males and 36 females; Age ranges from 21 to 67 years, with an average age of 44.4 years; and median follow-up time: 12 months. The House-Brackmann（HB） grading system was applied to assess the patients' facial nerve function before surgery, 1-2 weeks after surgery and at the final follow-up （HBⅠ-Ⅱ grade for good function）: 42 cases with preoperative HB grades Ⅰ-Ⅱ; partial facial nerve transposition（9 cases）, complete facial nerve transposition（28 cases）, and facial nerve excision and re-construction（17 cases） were used, respectively（stage Ⅰor Ⅱ）. Relevant factors affecting postoperative facial nerve function were analyzed. Results:Postoperative pathology confirmed 39 cases of paraganglioma, 9 cases of nerve sheath tumor, 3 cases of meningioma, and 1 case each of fibromucinous sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and intravascular myofibroma. Facial nerve function after partial facial nerve transposition was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 89%（8/9）; after complete facial nerve transposition was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 86%（24/28） in 28 cases; after facial nerve severance and reconstruction was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 2/7（Stage Ⅰ） and 0/3（Stage Ⅱ）, respectively. Tumor size and surgical approach were correlated with postoperative facial nerve function in patients with facial nerve transposition（P<0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in facial nerve function after complete and partial facial nerve transposition（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Intraoperative stretching of the facial nerve may be an important factor affecting facial nerve function during surgical treatment of tumors in the jugular venous foramen region; for patients with facial nerve dissection, facial nerve reconstruction should be adopted according to the situation, aiming at the recovery of facial nerve function.

[Clinical analysis of transcranial facial nerve bridging with interpositional graft for the treatment of facial nerve injury].

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of transcranial facial nerve bridging in the treatment of facial nerve dysfunction. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 patients with facial nerve dysfunction who underwent transcranial facial nerve bridging at the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital affiliated with Fudan University from 2017 to 2022. The main collected data includes the patient's age, gender, primary lesion, damaged location, interval from facial paralysis to surgery, and preoperative and postoperative House-Brackmann（HB） scale for facial nerve function. Statistical comparisons were made between the average HB level of patients before and after surgery. Results:A total of 27 patients included 17 males and 10 females. The average age of patients during surgery is（42.50±3.38） years old. Primary lateral skull base diseases include trauma（n=3）, tumors（n=22）, and infections（n=2）. The duration of facial paralysis varies from 6 months to 5 years. Statistics analysis has found that the average postoperative HB score of patients who underwent transcranial facial nerve bridging was significantly lower at（3.750 ± 0.183） compared to preoperative（4.875±0.168）. The proportion of patients with good facial nerve function increased significantly from 7.4% before surgery to 42.9% after surgery. Conclusion:Transcranial facial nerve bridging surgery with interpositional graft has a significant effect on improving facial nerve function in patients with facial nerve injury. Further research is still needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this surgery, to determine the optimal patient selection criteria and postoperative rehabilitation strategies.

[Postoperative effect analysis of different surgical techniques used in facial nerve reconstruction].

Objective:To investigate the factors and efficacy of different surgical techniques used in facial nerve（FN） reconstruction. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 patients who underwent facial nerve reconstruction surgery in our department from January 2016 to January 2021. The duration of total facial nerve paralysis was less than 18 months. The study included 5 surgical techniques, including 6 cases of FN anastomosis（Group A）, 5 cases of FN grafting（sural nerve or great auricular nerve）（Group B）, 5 cases of side-to-end facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis（Group C）, 4 cases of side-to-end FN grafting（sural nerve or great auricular nerve） hypoglossal nerve anastomosis（Group D）, and 4 cases of dual nerve reanimation（Group E）. The postoperative follow-up period was ≥1 year. Results:The HB-Ⅲ level of FN function at 1 year after surgery was 83.3%（5/6） in group A, 60.0%（3/5） in group B, 40.0%（2/5） in group C, 25.0%（1/4） in group D, and 50.0%（2/4） in group E. In patients without multiple FN repair, the incidence of synkinesis was 15.0%（3/20）, while no cases of synkinesis were observed in patients with dual nerve reanimation. The patients who underwent hypoglossal-facial side-to-end anastomosis showed no hypoglossal nerve dysfunction. Conclusion:Different FN repair techniques result in varying postoperative FN function recovery, as personalized repair should be managed. Among the various techniques, FN end-to-end anastomosis after FN transposition is recommended as to reduce the number of anastomotic stoma, while hypoglossal-facial side-to-end anastomosis is advocated as to prevent postoperative hypoglossal nerve dysfunction. Additionally, dual nerve repair can effectively improve smile symmetry and reduce synkinesis, which enhances patients' quality.

[Effect analysis of facial nerve decompression surgery in the treatment of Bell's palsy and Hunt syndrome].

Objective:To summarize and analyze the effect of facial nerve decompression surgery for the treatment of Bell's palsy and Hunt syndrome. Methods:The clinical data of 65 patients with facial nerve palsy who underwent facial nerve decompression in our center from October 2015 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 54 patients with Bell's palsy and 11 patients with Hunter syndrome. The degree of facial paralysis（HB grade） was evaluated before surgery, and ENoG, pure tone audiometry, temporal bone CT and other examinations were completed. All patients had facial palsy with HB grade V or above after conservative treatment for at least 1 month, and ENoG decreased by more than 90%. All patients underwent facial nerve decompression surgery through the transmastoid approach within 3 months after onset of symptoms. The recovery effect of facial nerve function after surgery in patients with Bell's palsy and Hunter syndrome was summarized and analyzed. In addition, 15 cases in group A（operated within 30-60 days after onset） and 50 cases in group B（operated within 61-90 days after onset） were grouped according to the course of the disease（the interval between onset of symptoms and surgery） to explore the effect of surgical timing on postoperative effect. Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients with Chi-square test（P=0.54） in 42 patients（77.8%, 42/54） with Bell's palsy and 7 patients（63.6%, 7/11） in patients with Hunter syndrome who recovered to grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ. According to the course of the disease, 10 cases（66.7%, 10/15） in group A recovered to grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ after surgery. In group B, 39 patients（78.0%, 39/50） recovered to grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ after surgery, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups by Chi-square test（P=0.58）. Conclusion:Patients with Bell's palsy and Hunter syndrome can achieve good results after facial nerve decompression within 3 months of onset, and there is no significant difference in the surgical effect between the two types of patients.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of two anastomosis techniques in the treatment of facial nerve defects].

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of two anastomosis techniques in repairing facial nerve defects. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients who underwent facial nerve anastomosis（direct or rerouting） for facial nerve defects in our department from January 2012 to December 2021. Among them, 21 were male and 9 were female, with an average age of（37.53±11.33） years, all with unilateral onset. Preoperative House-Brackmann（H-B） facial nerve function grades were Ⅳ in 2 cases, Ⅴ in 9 cases, and Ⅵin 19 cases. The duration of facial paralysis before surgery was within 6 months in 21 cases, 6-12 months in 6 cases, and over 1 year in 3 cases. The causes of facial paralysis included 14 cases of cholesteatoma, 6 cases of facial neurioma, 6 cases of trauma, and 4 cases of middle ear surgery injury. Surgical approaches included 9 cases of the middle cranial fossa approach, 8 cases of labyrinthine-otic approach, 7 cases of mastoid-epitympanum approach, and 6 cases of retroauricular lateral neck approach. Results:All patients were followed up for more than 2 years. The direct anastomosis was performed in 10 cases: 6 cases with defects located in the extratemporal segment and 4 cases in the tympanic segment. Rerouting anastomosis was performed in 20 cases: 11 cases with defects located in the labyrinthine-geniculate ganglion, 4 cases from the internal auditory canal to the geniculate ganglion, 3 cases in the internal auditory canal, and 2 cases in the horizontal-pyramid segment. Postoperative H-B facial nerve grades were Ⅱ in 2 cases, Ⅲ in 20 cases, and Ⅳ in 8 cases, with 73.3%（22/30） of patients achieving H-B grade Ⅲ or better. Conclusion:Both direct and rerouting anastomosis techniques can effectively repair facial nerve defects, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two techniques. Most patients can achieve H-B grade Ⅲ or better facial nerve function recovery. Preoperative facial nerve function and duration of facial paralysis are the main prognostic factors affecting the outcome of facial nerve anastomosis.

[Facial nerve protection in surgery for rare tumors of the internal auditory canal].

Objective:To explore strategies for preserving facial nerve function during surgeries for rare tumors of the internal auditory canal. Methods:A total of 235 cases of internal auditory canal tumors treated between 2010 and 2023 were included, encompassing vestibular schwannomas, cavernous hemangiomas, meningiomas, and other rare tumors. Various data, including clinical presentations, imaging classifications, and treatment processes, were meticulously analyzed to delineate the characteristics of rare tumors and assess pre-and postoperative facial nerve function. Results:Among all internal auditory canal tumors, vestibular schwannomas accounted for 91.9%. In rare tumors, facial nerve schwannomas constituted 5.3%, cavernous hemangiomas 26.3%, meningiomas 15.8%, and arterial aneurysms 10.5%. Significantly, patients with cavernous hemangiomas displayed pronounced invasion of the facial nerve by the tumor, in contrast to other tumor types where clear boundaries with the facial nerve were maintained. During surgery, individualized approaches and strategies for facial nerve protection were implemented for different tumor types, involving intraoperative dissection, tumor excision, and facial nerve reconstruction. Conclusion:Preservation of the facial nerve is crucial in the surgical management of rare tumors of the internal auditory canal. Accurate preoperative diagnosis, appropriate timing of surgery, selective surgical approaches, and meticulous intraoperative techniques can maximize the protection of facial nerve function. Personalized treatment plans and strategies for facial nerve functional reconstruction are anticipated to enhance surgical success rates, reduce the risk of postoperative facial nerve dysfunction, and ultimately improve the quality of life for patients.

[Cochlear implantation through retro-facial approach with congenital microtia malformation with facial nerve deformity: a case report].

The difficulty of cochlear implantation in patients with congenital microtia is usually increased due to the vague anatomical marks and facial nerve malformation. The common types of facial nerve malformation include facial nerve bony cover loss, aberrant position, and bifurcation malformation. Bifurcation malformation may obscure the oval window, press against stapes, and bifurcate in the vestibular window while obscuring the round window. It is important to correctly identify the facial nerve and choose a reasonable surgical approach to avoid postoperative complications. This article describes a case of profound sensorineural hearing loss due to facial nerve malformation in our institution. The patient underwent cochlear implantation through the retro-facial approach. There was no facial nerve injury or dysfunction symptoms such as facial paralysis and hemifacial spasm 2 years after the operation, and the cochlear implant works well. The score of the categories of the auditory performance（CAP） questionnaire was 7, and the score of the speech intelligibility rating（SIR） questionnaire was 4. When the round window cannot be exposed through the facial recess approach during surgery, the retro-facial approach is a feasible method. To avoid facial nerve injury, a thin-section CT of the temporal bone should be performed before the middle and inner ear surgery for patients with facial nerve malformation, and the intraoperative facial nerve monitor should be used to clarify the course of the facial nerve to avoid injury.

Refining the predictive value of preoperative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) by whole-tumor analysis for facial nerve outcomes in vestibular schwannomas.

BACKGROUND: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in MRI has been shown to correlate with postoperative House-Brackmann (HB) scores in patients with vestibular schwannoma despite limited methodology. To rectify limitations of single region of interest (ROI) sampling, we hypothesize that whole-tumor ADC histogram analysis will refine the predictive value of this preoperative biomarker related to postoperative facial nerve function. METHODS: Of 155 patients who underwent resection of vestibular schwannoma (2014-2020), 125 patients were included with requisite clinical and radiographic data. After volumetric analysis and whole-tumor ADC histogram, regression tree analysis identified ADC cutoff for significant differences in HB grade. Outcomes were extent of resection, facial nerve function, hospital length of stay (LOS), and complications. RESULTS: Regression tree analysis defined three quantitative ADC groups (× 10-6 mm2/s) as high (> 2248.77; HB 1.7), mid (1468.44-2248.77; HB 3.1), and low (< 1468.44; HB 2.3) range (p 0.04). The mid-range ADC group had significantly worse postoperative HB scores and longer hospital LOS. Large tumor volume was independently predictive of lower rates of gross total resection (p <0.0001), higher postoperative HB score (p 0.002), higher rate of complications (p 0.04), and longer LOS (p 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Whole-tumor histogram yielded a robust regression tree analysis that defined three ADC groups with significantly different facial nerve outcomes. This likely reflects tumor heterogeneity better than solid-tumor ROI sampling. Whole-tumor ADC warrants further study as a useful radiographic biomarker in patients with vestibular schwannoma who are considering surgical resection.

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND A mass in the parotid gland usually indicates parotid gland neoplasia. Warthin tumors or pleomorphic adenomas are common differential diagnoses. Less frequently, other differential diagnoses and sites of origin are considered. Schwannomas are rare, benign tumors in the head and neck region. Even more rarely, these tumors occur in the intraparotid course of the facial nerve. In the following, we report about 2 patients in whom a mass in the right parotid gland was found incidentally during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CASE REPORT We reviewed data from the literature on intraparotid facial nerve schwannomas (IPFNS) and compared them with those from our cases. The focus was on data such as clinical history, clinical symptoms, electroneurography, and various imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and MRI combined with diffusion-weighted imaging. CONCLUSIONS It is challenging to distinguish facial nerve schwannomas from other neoplasms. Patient's history, clinical symptoms, MRI examination with diffusion-weighted imaging, and high-resolution ultrasound imaging are decisive factors for diagnosis and should be performed when IPFNS is suspected. Diagnosis and therapy for IPFNS remain challenging. A wait-and-scan approach could be an option for patients with small tumors and good facial nerve function. On the other hand, patients with advanced tumors associated with limited facial nerve function can benefit from surgical approaches or stereotactic radiosurgery.

Localization of the Vertical Part of the Facial Nerve in the High-Resolution Computed Tomography During Pediatric Cochlear Implantation.

BACKGROUND: This study proposed a classification of the vertical portion of the facial nerve (VPFN) location, incorporating the previous classifications regarding the posterior-to-anterior and medial-to-lateral dimensions. We also evaluated the implication of this proposed classification on the round window visibility during pediatric cochlear implantation (CI). METHODS: It was a retrospective multicenter observational cohort study. This study included 334 cases that underwent CI between 2015 and 2022 at multiple referral institutes. Two physicians evaluated the preoperative computed tomography images of 334 patients and determined the radiological type of the VPFN. These types were matched with intraoperative round window accessibility. RESULTS: The Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a strong correlation between the proposed VPFN type and the intraoperative round window visibility, as the P-value was <.001. CONCLUSION: This classification could provide the surgeon preoperatively with the precise location of the VPFN in the lateral-to-medial and posterior-to-anterior dimensions. Furthermore, this location classification of the VPFN was significantly correlated with intraoperative round window accessibility, with an accuracy of 90.42%. Therefore, types C and D were expected to have difficult accessibility into the round window, and more surgical interventions were needed to modify the posterior tympanotomy or use other approaches.

Post-parotidectomy facial nerve rehabilitation outcomes: Comparison between benign and malignant neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Facial nerve dysfunction can be a devastating trouble for post-parotidectomy patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess rehabilitation outcomes concerning patients with post-parotidectomy facial nerve dysfunction, comparing benign versus malignant neoplasms. METHODS: Prospective study enrolling adults who underwent parotidectomy with facial nerve sparing between 2016 and 2020. The Modified Sunnybrook System (mS-FGS) was used for facial assessments. Physiotherapy began on the first post-operative day with a tailored program of facial exercises based on Neuromuscular Retraining, to be performed at home 3 times/day. From the first outpatient consultation, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation was added to the treatment of cases with moderate or severe facial dysfunctions. RESULTS: Benign and malignant groups had a statistically significant improvement in mS-FGS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups regarding treatment duration or number of physiotherapy sessions performed. The history of previous parotidectomy resulted in more severe initial dysfunctions and worse outcome. Age over 60 years and initially more severe dysfunctions impacted the outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients with benign and malignant parotid neoplasms had significant and equivalent improvement in postoperative facial dysfunction following an early tailored physiotherapy program, with no significant difference in the final facial score, treatment duration, or number of sessions required.

How I do it: hearing preservation in large vestibular schwannomas using vestibular nerve fiber preservation technique.

BACKGROUND: To improve hearing function after resection of large vestibular schwannomas, we describe a strategy of vestibular-nerve-fiber preservation. Anatomical considerations and stepwise dissection are described. METHOD: Steps include locating the vestibular nerve at the brainstem and identifying a dissection plane between nerve fibers and tumor capsule. Using this plane to mobilize and resect tumor reduced manipulation and maintained vascularity of underlying cochlear and facial nerves. CONCLUSION: Preservation of hearing function is feasible in large vestibular schwannomas with vestibular-nerve-fiber preservation. Reducing manipulation and ischemic injury of underlying cochlear and facial nerves thereby helped facilitate hearing preservation, even in large tumors.

Unusual Atrophic Nervus Intermedius in a Patient with Refractory Nervus Intermedius Neuralgia and History of Ipsilateral Sudden-Onset Central Facial Palsy and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Cadaveric-Clinical Images with Surgical Video.

Nervus intermedius (NI) arises from the superior salivary nucleus, solitary nucleus, and trigeminal tract. It leaves the pons as 1 to 5 roots and travels between the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves before merging with the facial nerve within the internal auditory canal. The mastoid segment of the facial nerve then gives rise to a sensory branch that supplies the posteroinferior wall of the external auditory meatus and inferior pina. This complex pathway renders the nerve susceptible to various pathologies, leading to NI neuralgia. Here, the authors present an unusual intraoperative finding of an atrophic NI in a patient with refractory NI neuralgia and a history of ipsilateral sudden-onset central facial palsy and microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. The patient underwent NI sectioning via the previous retrosigmoid window and achieved partial ear pain improvement. The gross size of the NI is compared with a cadaveric specimen through stepwise dissection. This case highlights the potential significance of subtle central ischemic events and subsequent atrophy of NI in the pathogenesis of NI neuralgia, as well as the ongoing need to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of nerve sectioning.

[A sampling survey of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring in China].

Objective: This study aims to investigate the current application and the level of knowledge of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring among medical staff in China. Methods: A comprehensive online questionnaire was conducted among medical professionals across different regions in China from October 2022 to February 2023. The survey exclusively targeted departments specializing in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The questionnaire covered various aspects including general information, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring practices, training history, indications for monitoring, parameters used during monitoring procedures, as well as factors influencing its implementation. Results: A total of 417 participants from 31 provincial, municipal, and autonomous regions were included. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring was found to be implemented in 227 (54.4%,227/417) repondents of 53 institutions (24.9%, 53/213). The top three indications for implementing this technique were acoustic neuroma, parotid gland surgery, and modified middle ear surgery (mastoidectomy). Herein 81.1%(184/227) medical staff involved in intraoperative facial nerve monitoring had received relevant training, 57.3%(130/227)-92.1%(209/227) reported a lack of clear description regarding recording thresholds, stimulation currents/frequencies/wave widths. Conclusion: The majority of the institutions surveyed have not yet adopted intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. Furthermore, significant gaps concerning the procedure exist. It is imperative to establish standards or guidelines to promote its better development and application.

Experience in treating children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment plan and prognosis of children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the clinical information of 10 consecutively collected children with ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm secondary to pontine tumours adjacent to the fourth ventricle was analyzed. All 10 children underwent pontine tumour resection through a trans-cerebellomedullary fissure approach; 4 children underwent preoperative diffusion tensor imaging scans to determine the relationship between the tumour and facial nerve nucleus, and the other 6 children underwent intraoperative deep electroencephalography (EEG) tumour monitoring, in which the tumour electrical discharge activity of the tumour was recorded. A voxel distribution map was established to describe the distribution of the tumour location, and patient prognosis was evaluated through clinical and imaging follow-up. RESULTS: All 10 children achieved total tumour resection; 9 tumours were pathologically suggested to be ganglioglioma (WHO grade I), and 1 was a hamartoma. The symptoms of the original ocular dyskinesia and hemifacial spasm disappeared immediately after the operation. The children were followed up for 4-75 months, and none of the symptoms recurred; four cases with preoperative diffusion tensor imaging showed that the tumour was close to the facial nerve. Four in six intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring showed that the tumour had electrical discharge behaviour, and the tumour distribution map indicates a high density of tumour presence in the facial nerve nucleus and the nucleus of the abducens nerve. CONCLUSIONS: In paediatric patients, the facial symptoms are related to the location and abnormal electrical discharge of the tumour. There is no significant correlation between ocular dyskinesia and the location of the tumour. Conventional antiepileptic therapy for this disease is ineffective, and early surgical intervention for total tumour resection can achieve a clinical curative effect.