Experimental study on the relationship between F wave recording, facial nerve function and its pathological changes in the pressure-induced rat model of acoustic neurinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the value of F wave recording in evaluating facial nerve function and its pathological changes in the pressure-induced rat models of acoustic neurinoma. Methods 58 rats in different groups were conducted F wave recording and biotinylated dextran amine(BDA) retrograde tracing for their right facial nerve one week after establishing models. Their latencies, amplitudes and F/M rates were analyzed first. 72 hours after BDA was injected into right whisker muscle, the rats were infused with 4% polyoxymethylene, then pontines and facial nerves in the CPA cistern were obtained. Pontiues were cut into frozen sections for histochemical staining with avidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-DAB and Nissl 's counterstaining, calculating the positive BDA neurons ratio(BDA+-N%)in facial nuclear. Facial nerves were cut and stained with toluidine blue for light-micrescope inspection, and/or stained for transmission electron microscope observation. Correlating F/M with BDA+-N% and the facial nerve pathological findings. Results F/M are 97.66 % and 97.48 % in normal and pseudo-operation group, respectively, when stimulus are 1.4 mA; while 77.13 %, 48.91% and 11.54 % in from small to large tumor model groups because F waves were delayed in latencies or increasinglylost (P <0.001). Similarly, BDA+-N% are 98.37 % and 97.96 % in the above two control groups, while 77.28 %, 48.28 % and 11.55 % in from small to large tumor model groups (P < 0.001). Thus F/M are positively correlated with their BDA+-N% in all groups (r =0.996,P <0.001). Facial nerve examinations under light and electron microscope show increasing pathological changes along with increasing "tumor" size. Conclusion The findings of F wave recording in facial nerve may reflect its functional status and pathological changes. Therefore, F wave detection may help electrophysiological monitoring during acoustic neurinoma resection and facial nerve function evaluation after surgery.