Automatic grading of patients with a unilateral facial paralysis based on the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System - A deep learning study based on a convolutional neural network.

PURPOSE: In order to assess the severity and the progression of a unilateral peripheral facial palsy the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) is a well-established grading system due to its clinical relevance, sensitivity, and robust measuring method. However, training is required in order to achieve a high inter-rater reliability. This study investigated the automated grading of facial palsy patients based on the SFGS using a convolutional neural network. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with a unilateral peripheral facial palsy and 9 healthy subjects were recorded performing the Sunnybrook poses. A separate model was trained for each of the 13 elements of the SFGS and then used to calculate the Sunnybrook subscores and composite score. The performance of the automated grading system was compared to three clinicians experienced in the grading of a facial palsy. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the convolutional neural network was within the range of human observers, with an average intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.87 for the composite Sunnybrook score, 0.45 for the resting symmetry subscore, 0.89 for the symmetry of voluntary movement subscore, and 0.77 for the synkinesis subscore. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the potential of the automated SFGS to be implemented in a clinical setting. The automated grading system adhered to the original SFGS, which makes the implementation and interpretation of the automated grading more straightforward. The automated system can be implemented in numerous settings such as online consults in an e-Health environment, since the model used 2D images captured from a video recording.

Botulinum toxin A treatment in facial palsy synkinesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Synkinesis is defined as involuntary movements accompanying by voluntary movements and can occur during the aftermath of peripheral facial palsy, causing functional, aesthetic and psychological problems in the patient. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is frequently used as a safe and effective treatment; however, there is no standardized guideline for the use of BTX-A in synkinesis. The purpose of this article is to review and summarize studies about the BTX-A treatment of synkinesis in patients with a history of peripheral facial palsy; including given dosages, injection sites and time intervals between injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-database systematic literature search was performed in October 2020 using the following databases: Pubmed, Embase, Medline, and The Cochrane Library. Two authors rated the methodological quality of the included studies independently using the 'Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale' for non-randomised studies' (NOS). RESULTS: Four-thousand-five-hundred-and-nineteen articles were found of which 34 studies met the inclusion criteria, in total comprising 1314 patients. Most studies were assessed to be of 'fair' to 'good' methodological quality. The Cohen's kappa (between author FJ and AS) was 0.78. Thirty-one studies investigated the reported dosage injected, 17 studies reported injection location and 17 studies investigated time intervals. A meta-analysis was performed for three studies comprising 106 patients, on the effects of BTX-A treatment on the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) scores. The mean difference was 11.599 (range 9.422-13.766), p < 0.01. However, due to inconsistent reporting of data of the included studies, no relationship with the dosage and location could be assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Many treatment strategies for synkinesis exist, consisting of varying BTX-A brands, dosages, time intervals and different injection locations. Moreover, the individual complaints are very specific, which complicates creating a standardized chemodenervation treatment protocol. The BTX-A treatment of long-term synkinesis is very individual and further studies should focus on a patient-tailored treatment instead of trying to standardize treatment.

A cross-sectional analysis of facial palsy-related quality of life in 125 patients: Comparing linear, quadratic and cubic regression analyses.

INTRODUCTION: Facial function correlates with quality of life in facial palsy. Previous studies have examined a linear relationship; based on clinical experience, we hypothesize a curved regression (i.e. quadratic or cubic) will be more fitting to show the correlation between quality of life and facial function. METHODS: We compared the fit of a linear regression model between Sunnybrook scores (facial function) and FaCE and FDI scores (quality of life) to a quadratic and cubic regression model in 125 patients cross-sectionally. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were included, 53.6% female with a mean (standard deviation) age of 56.6 (16.7) and a median (interquartile range) duration of palsy of 6.6 (1.5; 18.3) years. The quadratic regression proved a significant improvement over a linear regression analysis in the model using the FaCE total score (linear R2 =.346, quadratic R2 = .378, p = .033) and the FDI physical score (linear R2 = .245, quadratic R2 =.276, p = .034). The cubic regression analysis was no significant improvement over a quadratic regression. DISCUSSION: The relationship between facial function and quality of life in facial palsy is not linear meaning that there is a lot of variation in QoL in cases with severe and moderate facial impairment. This is most applicable to patients suffering from post-paralysis synkinesis, proving the highly individually experienced burden of synkinesis. As the relationship is not linear it should not be included as such in future research studies.

[Dynamic procedures for facial nerve reconstruction]. / Dynamische Verfahren zur Gesichtsnervenrekonstruktion.

In this article the indications and surgical treatment options for patients with facial nerve palsy are discussed. A distinction is made between static and dynamic surgical procedures. Static reconstructions for example are used to restore the eyelid closure function. For smile reconstruction, which is important for the psychosocial life of the patient, dynamic procedures are used. Depending on the duration of the facial nerve paralysis, there are several possibilities to restore the smile. In this work the masseteric branch transposition to the buccal branch, the hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis, the Labbé procedure and the gracilis flap as a free muscle transplant are discussed. The surgical procedures are compared and the advantages and disadvantages of the intervention are presented. A spontaneous smile is aimed, this cannot always be achieved. With the masseteric branch transposition to the buccal branch and the Labbé procedure the smile is initially triggered by chewing. A spontaneous smile is possible through cortical adaptation. With the gracilis flap, however, a nerve anastomosis with the contralateral 'healthy' facial nerve is possible, either directly or via a so-called cross facial nerve grafting, whereby a spontaneous smile can be achieved.

A prospective cohort study assessing differences in cosmetic appreciation of lateralization while smiling in patients with a peripheral facial palsy.

We investigated the differences in cosmetic appreciation of patients with a left and a right peripheral facial palsy (PFP) while smiling. Smiling pictures of patients with a facial palsy with House-Brackmann II-VI were reversed as a mirror image and offered as a pair of pictures, together with the true image. Twenty-six patients with a PFP and 24 medical professionals familiar with facial palsy were asked to choose the most attractive photograph. Patients rated their own pictures. Medical professionals preferred pictures of patients with a right and left PFP in, respectively, a mean of 43.00 ± 12.25% and 57.00 ± 12.28% (p = .005). Patients with a right PFP chose their mirror and true image in 65% and 35% in smiling pictures (p = .01). Patients with a left PFP facial palsy chose their mirror and true image in 58% and 42% in smiling pictures (p = .02). The House-Brackmann score and age of the patients did not influence preferences of medical professionals and patients. We have found that medical professionals have a significant preference for pictures of patients with a left PFP. Patients with a left PFP and right PFP significantly prefer their mirror image in smiling pictures.

Quality of life assessment in facial palsy: validation of the Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale.

This study aimed at validating an existing health-related quality of life questionnaire for patients with facial palsy for implementation in the Dutch language and culture. The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale was translated into the Dutch language using a forward-backward translation method. A pilot test with the translated questionnaire was performed in 10 patients with facial palsy and 10 normal subjects. Finally, cross-cultural adaption was accomplished at our outpatient clinic for facial palsy. Analyses for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness were performed. Ninety-three patients completed the Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale, the Dutch Facial Disability Index, and the Dutch Short Form (36) Health Survey. Cronbach's α, representing internal consistency, was 0.800. Test-retest reliability was shown by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.737. Correlations with the House-Brackmann score, Sunnybrook score, Facial Disability Index physical function, and social/well-being function were -0.292, 0.570, 0.713, and 0.575, respectively. The SF-36 domains correlate best with the FaCE social function domain, with the strongest correlation between the both social function domains (r = 0.576). The FaCE score did statistically significantly increase in 35 patients receiving botulinum toxin type A (P = 0.042, Student t test). The domains 'facial comfort' and 'social function' improved statistically significantly as well (P = 0.022 and P = 0.046, respectively, Student t-test). The Dutch Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale shows good psychometric values and can be implemented in the management of Dutch-speaking patients with facial palsy in the Netherlands. Translation of the instrument into other languages may lead to widespread use, making evaluation and comparison possible among different providers.

A new minimally invasive, nonexcisional, surgical browlift technique with minimal scarring: a protocol for a prospective observational study.

Background: The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the new minimal invasive (MINE) browlift technique with possibly superior results and minimal visible scarring. Study design: A prospective observational study will be performed on all available data from patients who will undergo a browlift procedure in the HMC from 1 June 2021 till 31 May 2024. Our goal is to include at least 50 patients. Inclusion criteria are: patients with medical (i.e. brow ptosis and facial paralysis) or cosmetic indication, patients with sufficient understanding of the Dutch or English language and willingness to participate in extra study specific follow-up moments and filling in of questionnaires. Exclusion criteria are: less than 18 years of age and patients with previous brow or eyelid surgery. Patients will be photographed preoperatively and postoperatively using the VECTRA camera. Outcome measurements: Scarring after procedure; functionality of eyebrow movement; amount of correction in brow ptosis, measured in VECTRA; longevity of procedure in months; aesthetic result as assessed by questionnaires and adverse effects of procedure will be measured. Ethics and dissemination: The database management software 'Castor' will be used to store and collect the data from the questionnaire. The Medical Research Ethics Committee found this study not eligible to be submitted to the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Acts (WMO). Written consent will be obtained from all patients.

Treatment Approaches for Altered Facial Expression: A Systematic Review in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy and Other Neurological Diseases.

Background: Facial weakness is a key feature of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and may lead to altered facial expression and subsequent psychosocial impairment. There is no cure and supportive treatments focus on optimizing physical fitness and compensation of functional disabilities. Objective: We hypothesize that symptomatic treatment options and psychosocial interventions for other neurological diseases with altered facial expression could be applicable to FSHD. Therefore, the aim of this review is to collect symptomatic treatment approaches that target facial muscle function and psychosocial interventions in various neurological diseases with altered facial expression in order to discuss the applicability to FSHD. Methods: A systematic search was performed. Selected studies had to include FSHD, Bell's palsy, Moebius syndrome, myotonic dystrophy type 1, or Parkinson's disease and treatment options which target altered facial expression. Data was extracted for study and patients' characteristics, outcome assessment tools, treatment, outcome of facial expression and or psychosocial functioning. Results: Forty studies met the inclusion criteria, of which only three studies included FSHD patients exclusively. Most, twenty-one, studies were performed in patients with Bell's palsy. Studies included twelve different therapy categories and results were assessed with different outcomes measures. Conclusions: Five therapy categories were considered applicable to FSHD: training of (non-verbal) communication compensation strategies, speech training, physical therapy, conference attendance, and smile restoration surgery. Further research is needed to establish the effect of these therapies in FSHD. We recommend to include outcome measures in these studies that cover at least cosmetic, functional, communication, and quality of life domains.

Changes of Facial Features After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review.

This study aims to provide an overview of the facial features and structure after bariatric surgery in the existing literature. A systematic literature search was performed in electronic databases until 15th February 2022. Four cohort studies including 129 patients from 3 countries were included between time period 2011 and 2020. Overall, bariatric surgery would promote massive weight loss associated with positive effects on facial aging. Analysis revealed a proportional relationship between body mass index (BMI) and faster facial aging and more attractive. Undergoing bariatric surgery would result in facial skin sagging and a favorable effect on the upper airway. Bariatric surgery was found to have a significant impact on changes in facial features but the current evidence remains inconclusive and further studies are required to illustrate facial changes post-bariatric surgery.

Botulinum toxin treatment of the buccinator muscle facial synkinesis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the available literature assessing the treatment of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of synkinesis of the buccinator muscle in patients with peripheral facial palsy (PFP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi database search was performed, including the following databases: Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Each database was searched from its earliest date until 8 June 2023. The following outcome measures were extracted from the articles when available: subjective, somatic, and psychological effects on the patients and objective outcomes such as the House-Brackmann, Sunnybrook and Sydney scores. The methodological quality of the included studies was rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for nonrandomised trials. RESULTS: The primary literature search generated 37 articles. After removing duplicates, 25 articles remained for abstract appraisal, of which 20 underwent full-text appraisal, resulting in 3 studies for analysis. All of these studies showed (significant) improvement in synkinesis either measured using the Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire or subjectively measured by asking treated patients. CONCLUSION: The available literature supports the finding that botulinum toxin treatment of the buccinator muscle could be a welcome addition to facial synkinesis treatment and could significantly improve patient outcomes. In future studies, the efficacy of EMG-guided buccinator injections, optimal dose, and a validated measuring method could be beneficial in optimising treatment for patients with a PFP and synkinesis.

The surgical anatomy of the deep temporal nerve: A cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate the surgical anatomy of the deep temporal nerve (DTN) and find (fixed/static) anatomical landmarks that could be used during surgery to localise the DTN branches. METHODS: Ten hemifaces of Dutch cadavers were dissected at the Department of Anatomy of the Radboudumc. Landmarks and measurements of interest were number of branches of the DTN, distance from the tragus to the DTN, and distance from the cranial and caudal parts of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone until the DTN. RESULTS: In this cadaveric study, 10 hemifaces were dissected (male, n = 6 [60%]; female, n = 4 [40%]) with an equal left/right side division. The number of deep temporal branches varied from 2 (30%) to 3 (70%) per side. The mean distance to the tragus varied from 40 to 53 mm, with a mean distance of 44.3 ± 4.4 mm. The mean distance from the cranial part of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone to the DTN varied from 29 to 35 mm, with a mean distance of 31.3 ± 2.1 mm. The distance from the caudal part of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone to the DTN varied from 8 to 17 mm, with a mean distance of 13.4 ± 3.4 mm. CONCLUSION: This study investigated the surgical anatomy and landmarks used for identification of the DTN and its branches. It suggested using firm landmarks for nerve identification, such as the posterior root of the cranial and/or the caudal zygomatic bone.

Psychosocial functioning in patients with altered facial expression: a scoping review in five neurological diseases.

PURPOSE: To perform a scoping review to investigate the psychosocial impact of having an altered facial expression in five neurological diseases. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed. Studies were on Bell's palsy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), Moebius syndrome, myotonic dystrophy type 1, or Parkinson's disease patients; had a focus on altered facial expression; and had any form of psychosocial outcome measure. Data extraction focused on psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Bell's palsy, myotonic dystrophy type 1, and Parkinson's disease patients more often experienced some degree of psychosocial distress than healthy controls. In FSHD, facial weakness negatively influenced communication and was experienced as a burden. The psychosocial distress applied especially to women (Bell's palsy and Parkinson's disease), and patients with more severely altered facial expression (Bell's palsy), but not for Moebius syndrome patients. Furthermore, Parkinson's disease patients with more pronounced hypomimia were perceived more negatively by observers. Various strategies were reported to compensate for altered facial expression. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that patients with altered facial expression in four of five included neurological diseases had reduced psychosocial functioning. Future research recommendations include studies on observers' judgements of patients during social interactions and on the effectiveness of compensation strategies in enhancing psychosocial functioning.

Negative effects of altered facial expression on psychosocial functioning are common and more abundant in women and in more severely affected patients with various neurological disorders.Health care professionals should be alert to psychosocial distress in patients with altered facial expression.Learning of compensatory strategies could be a beneficial therapy for patients with psychosocial distress due to an altered facial expression.

Deep temporal nerve transfer: A systematic review of anatomy, anatomical landmarks and clinical applications.

Background: Facial paralysis has a debilitating impact on facial function, especially the eyebrow. Static procedures have long been the standard treatment strategy, but in more recent years, dynamic procedures are being developed. To reconstruct the upper branches of the facial nerve (temporal and zygomatic branches), the deep temporal nerve (DTN) and its branches, with its close proximity to the eyebrow, can be used as a possible donor nerve for reinnervation. This systematic review provides an overview of the DTN anatomy and possible surgical treatment strategies. Materials and methods: A PubMed systematic literature search was performed in October 2021. Studies on cadavers and clinical studies providing anatomical or surgical information on the dissection of the DTN as well as surgical treatment strategies using the DTN were included. Results: The literature search produced 311 results, including 36 duplicates. After screening on title and abstract, 11 studies were found possibly relevant and underwent a full-text critical appraisal, resulting in 4 exclusions. In total seven studies were included. The data gathered were used to adequately describe the DTN anatomy, surgical approaches and landmarks used during surgery. Conclusion: The DTN and its branches prove to be a viable donor for the reconstruction of facial nerve branches, since the location and anatomical consistency can be relied upon through a multitude of studies, especially of the middle branch. Our study describes anatomy and nerve characteristics for its use in facial reanimation.

Psychological counselling in patients with a peripheral facial palsy: initial experience from an expert centre.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the psychologist's role on the multidisciplinary team during peripheral facial palsy (PFP) patient care and to identify the potential predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms/disorders in PFP patients. METHODS: Using the prospective non-controlled study design, PFP patients aged 18-75 years who presented to the Radboud Facial Palsy Expert Centre, the Netherlands, were enrolled during a 1-year interval. The main outcome variables were 1) anxiety and depression in relation to PFP using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 2) the outcome of psychological counselling in patients with a HADS score ≥ 8. RESULTS: A sample comprised 25 patients (68% females, 56% right-side PFP, 16% House-Brackmann scale I-II) with a mean age of 50 ± 14 years were referred to a psychologist. The proportion of patients with a HADS score ≥8, were 16 (64%) and 13 (52%), respectively. Especially, coping (in general or coping with the disease, 48%) and/or help with the choice of possible surgery (8.0%) were important reasons for counselling. In one case, a patient had chronic fatigue syndrome and was therefore referred to a psychological specialist centre. One patient was treated with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with good results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a small sample size and limited statistical analyses, the results of this study suggest that one-eighth of the PFP patients require psychological evaluation and treatments. This pilot study emphasises the important role of psychological screening and counselling in PFP patient care.

Interpreting Quality-of-Life Questionnaires in Patients with Long-Standing Facial Palsy.

Objective(s): To interpret change in quality-of-life scores in facial palsy patients by calculating the smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal important change (MIC) for the Facial Disability Index (FDI), Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale, and Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Materials and Methods: The SDC, for individuals and groups, was calculated using previously collected test-retest data (2-week interval). The MIC (predictive modeling method) was calculated in a second similar facial palsy population using two measurements (1-1.5-year interval) and an anchor question assessing perceived change. Results: SDCindividual of FaCE was 17.6 and SAQ was 28.2. SDCgroup of FaCE was 2.9 and SAQ was 4.6 (n = 62). Baseline FaCE and SAQ scores were 43.3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 35.8;55.0) and 51.1 (IQR: 32.2;60.0), respectively. MIC for important improvement of FDI physical/social function, FaCE total, and SAQ total were 4.4, 0.4, 0.7, and 2.8, respectively (n = 88). MIC for deterioration was 8.2, -1.8, -8.5, and 0.6, respectively. Baseline scores were 70.0 (IQR: 60.0;80.0), 76.0 (68.0;88.0), 55.0 (IQR: 40.0;61.7), and 26.7 (IQR: 22.2;35.6), respectively. Number of participants reporting important change for the different questionnaires ranged from 3 to 23 per subscale. Conclusion: Interpreting change scores of the FDI, FaCE, and SAQ is appropriate for groups, but for individual patients it is limited by a substantial SDC.

Postoperative volume increase of facial soft tissue after percutaneous versus endonasal osteotomy technique in rhinoplasty using 3D stereophotogrammetry.

BACKGROUND: When lateral osteotomies are performed as part of a rhinoplasty, the nose and paranasal region invariably change in three dimensions. The PURPOSE of this study is to compare the effect of the percutaneous perforating and endonasal continuous osteotomy techniques concerning the degree of postoperative swelling using three dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry. METHODOLOGY: A prospective follow-up study was conducted. Patients requiring bilateral osteotomies were included and randomly underwent a percutaneous osteotomy on one side and an endonasal osteotomy on the other side. Pre- and postoperative 3D photos were acquired using 3D stereophotogrammetry. Volumetric measurement data were acquired from the paranasal region using 3D software. Measurements were compared using Student`s t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test statistics. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. A percutaneous osteotomy was performed on the right side in nine patients and on the left side in 11 patients. The total volume, the volume of the right paranasal and left paranasal region were significantly larger postoperative. No difference was found between the sides. CONCLUSIONS: No difference concerning swelling is found between the percutaneous and endonasal osteotomy technique sides. With 3D stereophotogrammetry volumetric data can be acquired and compared to evaluate soft-tissue changes.

3D stereophotogrammetric analysis of lip and nasal symmetry after primary cheiloseptoplasty in complete unilateral cleft lip repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate symmetry of the lip and nose in patients with CUCLP after primary cheiloseptoplasty (Afroze technique), in comparison to non-cleft controls. METHODOLOGY: In this prospective study, forty-four patients with operated non-syndromic CUCLP were included. The control group consisted of 44 volunteers without cleft defects of approximately the same age and sex. Primary septoplasty was performed in conjunction with the cleft lip (CL) repair using the Afroze incision. 3D facial images were acquired using 3D stereophotogrammetry. After a 3D cephalometric analysis of the lip and nose was performed in both groups, linear and volumetric data were acquired. Lip and nose symmetry were calculated and compared using Student`s t-tests as well as the Chi square test. RESULTS: For all measurements, the control group was up to 36% closer to perfect symmetry compared to the CUCLP group after primary surgery. This difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: After primary cheiloseptoplasty according to the Afroze technique in patients with CUCLP, asymmetry in the nose and lip area still exists as compared to non-cleft controls. Although non-cleft individuals also show some degree of asymmetry, the results of this study stress the difficulty in obtaining near normal symmetrical relations.

e-Health and telemedicine implementation in facial paralysis: challenges and pitfalls.

During the current Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of changes had to be made in the care of patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP). FNP is a life-changing condition with effects on both physical (both esthetic and functional) and psychological aspects of the patient's life. Telemedicine could be a suitable alternative in the therapy for these patients, since it is often not possible to travel to outpatient clinics or to have normal face-to-face appointments with treating physicians because of pandemic restrictions. This review provides an overview of the current literature in the treatment of FNP during the pandemic and the role of telemedicine/e-Health. Secondly, we will discuss the challenges and pitfalls of implementing e-Health and telemedicine applications in clinical practice. Level of evidence: Not ratable.

Cosmetic appreciation and emotional processing in patients with a peripheral facial palsy: A systematic review.

Background; The goal of this review is 1) to summarize the studies assessing PFP by casual observers, patients themselves and the cosmetic appreciation of the PFP and 2) to summarize the studies assessing whether there is a difference in emotional recognition/processing of facial emotions and/or cognitive tasks in patients with a PFP. Materials and Methods; A multi-database systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: Pubmed, Embase, Medline, and The Cochrane Library from the earliest date of each database up to December 2019. Population of interest consisted of patients with a PFP and studies that investigated cosmetic appreciation and/or emotional recognition and/or emotional processing in these patients. Two authors rated the methodological quality of the included studies independently using the 'Newcastle - Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale' for nonrandomised studies' (NOS). Two authors extracted the outcome data regarding cosmetic appreciation and/or emotional recognition/processing from the included studies. Results; Twelve hundred and thirty-two studies were found of which eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were assessed to be of 'fair' to 'good' methodological quality. The Cohen's kappa (between author RL and SP) was 0.68. Two studies investigated emotional processing and/or emotional recognition. Nine studies investigated cosmetic appreciation in both patients and casual observers. Important findings of this systematic review are that there is a correlation between the perceived severity of the PFP of the patients and the ratings by casual observers. Secondly there seems to be a laterality difference in cosmetic appreciation and thirdly there might to be a decreased emotional recognition and processing in patients with a PFP. Conclusion; Emotional recognition and cosmetic appreciation in patients with a PFP is an under investigated area, in which further studies are needed to substantiate the findings in current literature.

Association between duration of peripheral facial palsy, severity, and age of the patient, and psychological distress.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) (paralysis) can be a devastating condition that has been shown to have associations with increased depression and worse quality of life. The aim of the present study is to better understand the complex association of psychological distress with the duration, severity, and age of patients with PFP. We hypothesize that a shorter duration of PFP is associated with higher levels of psychological distress. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with PFP that existed longer than 3 months were included in this study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess the presence and severity of anxiety and depressions. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine correlation between psychological distress, duration, severity of the PFP, and age. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included in this study, of whom 22 were male and 37 were female. The mean age was 55.6 ±â€¯14.6 years and mean duration of PFP from onset ranged from 3 months to 35 years (with a mean duration of 5.39 ±â€¯6.06 years). Twenty-eight patients had left-sided PFP, 30 patients had right-sided PFP, and one patient had bilateral PFP. The majority were caused by Bell's palsy (50.8%). In the group with a duration less than 5 years, there were five (12.8%) patients having a score between 11 and 15 (on HADS) compared to two (10%) patients in the group with a duration of 5 years or more(p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There seems to be an association between moderate depression and duration of the PFP. Further studies need to substantiate our findings.