Optimization of the automated Sunnybrook Facial Grading System - Improving the reliability of a deep learning network with facial landmarks.

OBJECTIVE: The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) is a well-established grading system to assess the severity and progression of a unilateral facial palsy. The automation of the SFGS makes the SFGS more accessible for researchers, students, clinicians in training, or other untrained co-workers and could be implemented in an eHealth environment. This study investigated the impact on the reliability of the automated SFGS by adding a facial landmark layer in a previously developed convolutional neural network (CNN). METHODS: An existing dataset of 116 patients with a unilateral peripheral facial palsy and 9 healthy subjects performing the SFGS poses was used to train a CNN with a newly added facial landmark layer. A separate model was trained for each of the 13 elements of the SFGS and then used to calculate the SFGS subscores and composite score. The intra-class coefficient of the automated grading system was calculated based on three clinicians experienced in the grading of facial palsy. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the CNN with the additional facial landmarks increased in performance for all composite scores compared to the previous model. The intra-class coefficient for the composite SFGS score increased from 0.87 to 0.91, the resting symmetry subscore increased from 0.45 to 0.62, the symmetry of voluntary movement subscore increased from 0.89 to 0.92, and the synkinesis subscore increased from 0.75 to 0.78. CONCLUSION: The integration of a facial landmark layer into the CNN significantly improved the reliability of the automated SFGS, reaching a performance level comparable to human observers. These results were attained without increasing the dataset underscoring the impact of incorporating facial landmarks into a CNN. These findings indicate that the automated SFGS with facial landmarks is a reliable tool for assessing patients with a unilateral peripheral facial palsy and is applicable in an eHealth environment.

Clinical and electrophysiological prognostic factors in predicting poor outcomes in patients with idiopathic facial nerve paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to verify whether one or more clinical and neurophysiological parameters could predict a poor prognosis in idiopathic facial paralysis. METHODS: Seventy-three outpatients with unilateral idiopathic facial nerve paralysis who visited our hospital within 7 days of onset. All patients received treatment according to a standard therapy protocol and ocular care. Patients' baseline characteristics were assessed before initiating treatment, including demographic characteristics, facial nerve function assessment and previous medical history. House-Brackmann (H-B) grading system was performed at baseline and six months after the onset. Electroneurography (ENoG) and blink reflex tests were conducted 7-10 days after the onset of paralysis. Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) was conducted at baseline, days 7-10 post-onset when the electrophysiological tests were performed, and one month after the onset. RESULTS: According to the H-B grade at 6 months following the onset, 58 patients (79.5 %) had a good prognosis, while 15 patients (20.5 %) had a poor prognosis. The CMAP amplitudes in three facial muscles (frontalis, orbicularis oculi, and orbicularis oris) were decreased, and ENoG values were increased in the poor prognosis group compared with the good prognosis group (all p < 0.01). The results of the blink reflex study showed that the group with a poor prognosis had a longer R1 latency compared to the group with a good prognosis. Additionally, the group with a poor prognosis exhibited a higher rate of R1 absence on the affected side (both p < 0.01). The findings of conditional logistic regression indicated that the absence of R1 on the affected side, frontalis ENoG, orbicularis oculi ENoG, and orbicularis oris ENoG were predictive factors of a poor prognosis for facial nerve palsy. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the SFGS at 1 month after onset of 55 is considered a critical cutoff value for poor prognosis, with a sensitivity of 86.7 % and specificity of 91.4 %. CONCLUSION: Electroneurography (ENoG) and blink reflex tests acquired within 7-10 days after the onset of paralysis are significant and highly valuable for predicting the prognosis of idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. Higher ENoG values of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve and the absence of R1 on the affected side of the blink reflex are predictive factors for a poor prognosis. The SFGS is a clinical tool that plays an important role in evaluating the prognosis of idiopathic facial paralysis, particularly one month after onset.

Assessing Facial Palsy: Does Feedback Improve Assessment Using the eFACE and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System?

OBJECTIVE(S): To explore learning effects when applying the clinician-graded electronic facial function scale (eFACE) and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (Sunnybrook). METHODS: Surgeons, facial rehabilitation therapists, and medical students were randomly allocated to the eFACE (n = 7) or Sunnybrook (n = 6) and graded 60 videos (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary open-source standard set); 10 persons with normal facial function and 50 patients with a wide variation of facial palsy severity. Participants received an introduction and individual feedback after each set of 10 videos. Scores were compared to the reference score provided with the set. Multilevel analysis was performed to analyze learning effect. RESULTS: A learning effect was only found for the eFACE, with significant difference scores in set 1 and 2 compared to set 6, and no significant difference scores in the following sets. The difference score was associated with the reference score (severity of facial palsy) for eFACE (ß = -0.19; SE = 0.04; p < 0.001) and Sunnybrook (ß = -0.15; SE = 0.04; p < 0.001). Age of participants was also associated with the difference score in the eFACE group (ß = 0.18; SE = 0.03; p < 0.001). No differences in scores were found between groups of participants. CONCLUSION: The eFACE showed a learning effect of feedback while the Sunnybrook did not. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 134:3105-3111, 2024.

Comparison of 3 Grading Systems (House-Brackmann, Sunnybrook, Sydney) for the Assessment of Facial Nerve Paralysis and Prediction of Neural Recovery.

Objective: Currently, multiple classification systems exist for the assessment of facial nerve paralysis. This study was designed to choose the most practical system for use in a clinical setting depending on the clinician need. We compared the responsiveness of the 3 facial nerve grading systems, i.e., House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook, as the subjective method and compared the outcomes with the objective method, i.e., the nerve conduction study. The correlation between the subjective and objective assessments was determined. Methods: A total of 22 consented participants with facial palsy was assessed with photos and videography recordings where they performed 10 standard facial expressions. The severity of facial paralysis was evaluated with the House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook grading scales subjectively and with the facial nerve conduction study objectively. The assessments were repeated after 3 months. Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that there were statistically significant change in all three gradings after 3-month of assessment. The responsiveness of the nerve conduction study was significant for the nasalis and orbicularis oris muscles. It was not significant for the orbicularis oculi muscle. The nasalis and orbicularis oculi showed statistically significant correlation with the three classification systems except for the orbicularis oculi muscle. Conclusions: All three grading systems, House-Brackmann, Sydney, and Sunnybrook, showed statistically significant responsiveness after 3 months of evaluation. The nasalis and orbicularis oculi muscle can be used to predict facial palsy recovery because they showed strong positive and negative correlations with the extent of facial nerve degeneration from the nerve conduction study.

Inter- and Intra-rater Reliability of Modified House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading Systems in Post Parotidectomy Patients.

To compare inter-rater, intra-rater and inter-system reliability of modified House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook grading systems. The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital with a single cohort of 20 patients and 3 raters. The patients, eligible to be included for the study, were those over 18 years of age planned for nerve sparing parotidectomy. In the postoperative period, patients were video recorded performing specific movements according to the requirements of modified House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook systems. These recordings were used for the grading once recruitment was completed. The inter-rater, intra-rater and inter-system reliability of modified House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook systems were assessed using the intraclass coefficient. The intra-rater reliability was good-to-excellent for both groups with Intra-Class coefficient (ICC) ranging from 0.902 to 0.958 in modified House-Brackmann and in 0.802 to 0.957 Sunnybrook system. The inter-rater reliability was good-to-excellent with ICC ranging from 0.806 to 0.906 in modified House-Brackmann and 0.766 to 0.860 in Sunnybrook system. The inter-system reliability was good-to-excellent with ICC ranging from 0.892 to 0.937. There was no significant difference in the reliability of modified House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook systems. Thus, an interval scale accomplishes the task of grading facial nerve palsy in a reliable way, and the choice of the specific instrument will be based on other factors like expertise involved, ease of administration and generalisability to the incumbent clinical scenario.

Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract vs conventional therapy in chronic peripheral facial paresis: VISAGE, a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: One year after persistent peripheral facial paresis (PFP), prescriptions of conventional rehabilitation are often downgraded into maintenance rehabilitation or discontinued, the patient entering what is seen as a chronic stage. This therapeutic choice is not consistent with current knowledge about behavior-induced plasticity, which is available all life long and may allow intense sensorimotor rehabilitation to remain effective. This prospective, randomized, multicenter single-blind study in subjects with chronic unilateral PFP evaluates changes in facial motor function with a Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract (GSC) vs. conventional therapy alone, carried out for six months. METHODS: Eighty-two adult subjects with chronic unilateral PFP (> 1 year since facial nerve injury) will be included in four tertiary, maxillofacial surgery (2), otolaryngology (1) and rehabilitation (1) centers to be randomized into two rehabilitation groups. In the experimental group, the PM&R specialist will implement the GSC method, which for PFP involves intensive series of motor strengthening performed daily on three facial key muscle groups, i.e. Frontalis, Orbicularis oculi and Zygomatici. The GSC strategy involves: i) prescription of a daily self-rehabilitation program, ii) teaching of the techniques involved in the program, iii) encouragement and guidance of the patient over time, in particular by requesting a quantified diary of the work achieved to be returned by the patient at each visit. In the control group, participants will benefit from community-based conventional therapy only, according to their physician's prescription. The primary outcome measure is the composite score of Sunnybrook Facial Grading System. Secondary outcome measures include clinical and biomechanical facial motor function quantifications (Créteil Scale and 3D facial motion analysis through the Cara system), quality of life (Facial Clinimetric Evaluation and Short-Form 12), aesthetic considerations (FACE-Q scale) and mood representations (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). Participants will be evaluated every three months by a blinded investigator, in addition to four phone calls (D30/D60/D120/D150) to monitor compliance and tolerance to treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will increase the level of knowledge on the effects of intense facial motor streng-          Facial paralysisthening prescribed through a GSC in patients with chronic peripheral facial paresis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04074018 . Registered 29 August 2019. PROTOCOL VERSION: Version N°4.0-04/02/2021.

Bell's Palsy in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Retrospective Case-Control Study of 182 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of Bell's palsy in pregnant and postpartum women. Additionally, to compare facial outcomes in terms of Sunnybrook score following Bell's palsy with regard to corticosteroid treatment and other confounding factors. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. METHODS: All women with Bell's palsy in pregnancy or postpartum (6 weeks after birth) with a computerized medical chart in the Stockholm Region 2005 to 2015 were included. The total number of births in the region during this period was retrieved from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Nonpregnant age-matched women with Bell's palsy served as controls. Characteristics, medication, and Sunnybrook scores were collected. Risk factors for incomplete recovery (Sunnybrook score <96) at 3 months were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 182 pregnant and postpartum women with Bell's palsy were identified. The estimated incidence among pregnant and postpartum women was 60.5/100,000 person-years. The mean Sunnybrook score at 3 months was 74 among pregnant and postpartum women and 83 for controls (p = .002). At 12 months, Sunnybrook score was 81 and 89, respectively (p = .017). Only one-third of the pregnant women received corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Bell's palsy in pregnancy and postpartum was 60.5 per 100,000 women and year in the Stockholm Region. Sunnybrook score was poorer in pregnant women compared with postpartum and nonpregnant women throughout. Corticosteroid treatment had little effect on any patients, however, only one-third of the pregnant women received this treatment.

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.

Agreement Between House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading Systems in Bell's Palsy in Children: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on the use of facial nerve function grading scales in acute facial nerve paralysis in children. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the agreement between and the usability of the House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales in children with idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) and to compare their ease of administration. METHODS: Data from a randomized controlled trial in children aged 6 months to <18 years with Bell's palsy was used. Children were recruited within 72 hours of symptom onset and assessed using the House-Brackmann and the Sunnybrook scales at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months until recovered. Agreement between the scales was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at each time point and using a Bland-Altman plot. Ease of administration was assessed using an 11-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Comparative data were available for 169 of the 187 children randomized. The ICC between the 2 scales across all time points was 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.93), at baseline 0.37 (95% 0.25, 0.51), at 1 month 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), at 3 months 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.89), and at 6 months 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97). The median score for the ease of administration for the House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales was 3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-5) and 7 (IQR: 4-8) respectively (P < .001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: There was excellent agreement between House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales, with poorer agreement at baseline. Clinicians found the House-Brackmann scale easier to administer. These findings suggest that both scales can be applied in children.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Sunnybrook facial grading system.

PURPOSE: The Sunnybrook facial grading system (SFGS) is one of the most widely employed tools to assess facial function. The present study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Spanish language version of the SFGS. METHODS: Forward-backward translation from the original English version was performed by fluent speakers of English and Spanish. Videos from 65 patients with facial paralysis (FP) were evaluated twice by five otolaryngologists with experience in FP evaluation. Internal consistency and intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed. The House-Brackmann scale was used to display concurrent validity which was established by Spearman's rho correlation. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α score exceeded 0.70. The intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was nearly perfect for the composite score (0.96-0.99), voluntary movements (0.97-0.99), and synkinesis (0.91-0.98), and important to almost perfect for symmetry at rest (0.79-0.97). In both evaluations, the inter-rater ICC was higher than 0.90 for the composite score (0.92-0.96) and voluntary movements (0.91-0.96) and slightly lower for symmetry at rest (0.66-0.85) and synkinesis (0.72-0.87). A strong negative correlation was found between the H-B scale and SFGS (Spearman's rho coefficient = - 0.92, p < 0.001) in both evaluations. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the SFGS is a reliable and valuable instrument for the assessment of facial function in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with FP.

Multiple Model Evaluation of the Masseteric-to-Facial Nerve Transfer for Reanimation of the Paralyzed Face and Quick Prognostic Prediction.

Facial paralysis is negatively associated with functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial consequences. The masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer (MFNT) has many advantages in facial reanimation. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of our MFNT technique and define the potential factors predictive of outcome. The authors conducted a retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients who underwent MFNT using the temporofacial trunk of facial nerve. Videotapes and images were documented and evaluated according to Facial Nerve Grading Scale 2.0 (FNGS2.0) and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (FGS). The quality-of-life was obtained using the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale. Moreover, Facial Asymmetry Index (FAI), quantitative measurement of the width of palpebral fissure, deviation of the philtrum, and angles or excursions of the oral commissure were applied to explore the effect of the transfer metrically. Multivariable logistic regression models and Cox regression were prepared to predict the effect of MFNT by preoperative clinical features. The patients showed favorable outcomes graded by FNGS2.0, and experienced significantly improved scores in static and dynamic symmetry with slightly elevated scores in synkinesis evaluated by the Sunnybrook FGS. The score of FaCE Scale increased in all domains after reanimation. The quantitative indices indicated the symmetry restoration of the middle and lower face after MFNT. Regression analysis revealed that younger patients with severe facial paralysis are preferable to receive MFNT early for faster and better recovery, especially for traumatic causes. The findings demonstrate that MFNT is an effective technique for facial reanimation, and case screening based on clinical characteristics could be useful for surgical recommendation.

Psychological evaluation for patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychological condition of patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy and to investigate whether their psychological condition is correlated with the degree of facial nerve palsy, synkinesis or quality of life. METHODS: Thirty patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy were enrolled in this study. Psychological conditions were evaluated by questionnaires including State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Self-rating Depression Scale. RESULTS: Of the thirty patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy, 17 (56.7%) and 15 patients (50.0%) felt anxiety and depression, respectively. Although there were no significant correlations between their psychological condition and the degree of facial nerve palsy or that of sequelae, significant correlations were observed between psychological condition and the degree of QOL, especially in terms of social function. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Disabilities associated with facial nerve palsy may be overlooked when evaluation is performed by physician-graded instruments alone. To resolve this problem, patients with non-cured facial nerve palsy should be evaluated by not only physician-graded tools but also patient-based assessment tools.

Brain atrophy trajectories predict differential functional performance in Alzheimer's disease: Moderations with apolipoprotein E and sex.

INTRODUCTION: We examine whether distinct brain atrophy patterns (using brain parenchymal fraction [BPF]) differentially predict functional performance and decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and are independently moderated by (1) a key AD genetic risk marker (apolipoprotein E [APOE]), (2) sex, and (3) high-risk group (women APOE ɛ4 carriers). METHODS: We used a 2-year longitudinal sample of AD patients (baseline N = 170; mean age = 71.3 [9.1] years) from the Sunnybrook Dementia Study. We applied latent class analysis, latent growth modeling, and path analysis. We aimed to replicate our findings (N = 184) in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. RESULTS: We observed that high brain atrophy class predicted lower functional performance and steeper decline. This association was moderated by APOE, sex, and high-risk group. Baseline findings as moderated by APOE and high-risk group were replicated. DISCUSSION: Women APOE ɛ4 carriers may selectively be at a greater risk of functional impairment with higher brain atrophy.

Homologación lingüística al idioma español, en población chilena, de la herramienta Sunnybrook Facial Grading System para evaluar parálisis facial. Estudio piloto

Resumen Introducción: La parálisis facial es una patología muy común. La escala "Sunnybrook Facial Grading System" (SFGS) se ha posicionado como una herramienta útil y confiable para su evaluación y evolución. Objetivo: Homologar lingüísticamente desde el idioma inglés al español la escala SFGS en una muestra de población chilena. Material y Método: Tres kinesiólogos chilenos con dominio comprobado del idioma inglés tradujeron la escala SFGS al español. Un comité creó una primera versión de la SFGS en español. Posteriormente, un profesional del Instituto Chileno-Británico tradujo la primera versión nuevamente al inglés (retrotraducción). El comité definió la segunda versión de la SFGS. Finalmente, los investigadores llevaron a cabo los pilotajes. Resultados: En dos pruebas piloto, veinte sujetos respondieron correctamente el total de las expresiones solicitadas. Conclusión: Esta versión de la escala SFGS homologada lingüísticamente al español puede ser aplicada a la población chilena.

Abstract Introduction: Facial paralysis is a very common pathology. The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) scale has positioned itself as a useful and reliable tool for its evaluation and follow up. Aim: To linguistically homologate the SFGS scale in a sample of the Chilean population from English to Spanish. Material and Method: Three Chilean kinesiologists with English proficiency translated the SFGS scale into Spanish. A committee developed a first version of the SFGS in Spanish. Subsequently, a professional from the Chilean-British Institute translated the first version back into English (back-translation). The committee defined the second version of the SFGS. Finally, the investigators carried out the pilots. Results: In two pilot tests, twenty subjects correctly answered the total of the expressions requested. Conclusion: This version of the SFGS scale linguistically homologated to Spanish can be applied to the Chilean population.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome: long-term facial palsy outcome assessed face-to-face by three different grading scales and compared to patient self-assessment.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term facial palsy outcome of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome by face-to-face grading by House-Brackmann Grading System, Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0, and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System concomitantly. To compare the applicability of the grading scales. To compare patients' self-assessed facial palsy outcome results to gradings performed by the investigator. To compare the face-to-face assessed facial palsy outcome to the initial palsy grade. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients self-assessed their facial palsy outcome and came to a one-time follow-up visit. The palsy outcome was graded by one investigator using the three above-mentioned grading systems concomitantly. The median time from syndrome onset to follow-up visit was 6.6 years. RESULT: A good long-term face-to-face assessed palsy outcome was enjoyed by 84% of the patients. Trying to assess only one House-Brackmann grade to represent the palsy outcome was impossible for most patients. Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 worked better, but needed adjustments and certain sequelae findings needed to be neglected for it to be executable. The Sunnybrook system worked the best. Nearly 20% of the patients assessed themselves differently from the investigator: both better and worse. CONCLUSION: The Sunnybrook scale was the most applicable system used. With antiviral medication, the outcome of facial palsy in Ramsay Hunt syndrome starts to resemble that of Bell's palsy and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the syndrome and treating it accordingly. The results give hope to patients instead of the gloomy prospects that have stigmatized the syndrome.

Facial palsy in children: long-term outcome assessed face-to-face and follow-up revealing high recurrence rate.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term (minimum of 2 years from the palsy onset) outcome of pediatric facial palsy by patient questionnaire and face-to-face assessment by the Sunnybrook facial grading system, House-Brackmann grading system, and Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0. To compare the outcome results of self-assessment with the face-to-face assessment. To assess the applicability of the grading scales. To assess the palsy recurrence rate (minimum of a 10-year follow-up). METHODS: 46 consecutive pediatric facial palsy patients: 38 (83%) answered the questionnaire and 25 (54%) attended a follow-up visit. Chart review of 43 (93%) after a minimum of 10 years for the facial palsy recurrence rate assessment. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients assessed face-to-face, 68% had totally recovered but 35% of them additionally stated subjective sequelae in a self-assessment questionnaire. Good recovery was experienced by 80% of the patients. In a 10-year follow-up, 14% had experienced palsy recurrence, only one with a known cause. Sunnybrook was easy and logical to use, whereas House-Brackmann and the Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 were incoherent. CONCLUSIONS: Facial palsy in children does not heal as well as traditionally claimed if meticulously assessed face-to-face. Patients widely suffer from subjective sequelae affecting their quality of life. Palsy recurrence was high, much higher than previously reported even considering the whole lifetime. Of these three grading systems, Sunnybrook was the most applicable.

Validation of the Turkish version of the Sunnybrook facial grading system

Background/aim: To adapt the Sunnybrook facial grading system (SFGS) into Turkish and perform validation and reliability studies on the Turkish version. Materials and Methods: The original English version of the SFGS was translated into Turkish by performing a linguistic validity study based on international standards. The evaluators comprised 6 physicians. Evaluations were performed twice independently using the video recordings of 65 facial palsy patients. Synchronously, the House-Brackman facial grading system (HBFGS) was filled out to display concurrent validity. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha was used for the examination of the inter- and intra-rater reliability. As another indication of reliability, the generalizability (G) was also examined. Results: The ICC for the inter-rater reliability for resting symmetry, symmetry of voluntary movement, synkinesis, and the composite score, which are 4 components of the SFGS, were determined, respectively, as 0.822, 0.956, 0.606, and 0.957 for the first evaluation, and 0.805, 0.965, 0.584, and 0.965 for the second evaluation. For the intra-rater reliability, the ICC were determined as 0.842, 0.956, 0.794, and 0.937, while the Cronbach's alpha coefficients were determined as 0.809, 0.956, 0.792, and 0.948, respectively. The G coefficient was determined as G = 0.772. For the concurrent validity, a strong correlation was found between the SFGS and HBFGS scores. Conclusion: The present study adapted the SFGS into Turkish, and demonstrated that the adapted scale was valid and reliable. The Turkish version can be used for the evaluation of facial palsy, the follow-up of treatment efficiency, and standardization in reporting outcomes with the international literature.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome: characteristics and patient self-assessed long-term facial palsy outcome.

PURPOSE: To explore the characteristics, medical treatments, and long-term facial palsy outcome in Ramsay Hunt syndrome. METHODS: Patient questionnaire including self-assessment of long-term facial palsy outcome and retrospective chart review. Initial facial palsy grade was compared to self-assessed or patient record stated palsy outcome. Occurrence of different characteristics (blisters, hearing loss, vertigo, etc.) of the syndrome were assessed. RESULTS: Altogether 120 patients were included of which 81 answered the questionnaire. All but one patient had received virus medication (aciclovir, valaciclovir), and half received simultaneous corticosteroids. If the medication was started within 72 h of Ramsay Hunt diagnosis, facial palsy recovered totally or with only slight sequelae in over 80% of the patients. Only a minority of the patients experienced varicella blisters simultaneously with facial palsy, blisters more often preceded or followed the palsy. Approximately 20% of the patients had their blisters in hidden places in the ear canal or mouth. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of facial palsy in medically treated Ramsay Hunt syndrome was approaching the outcome of Bell's palsy. It is crucial to ask and inform the patient about the blisters and look for them since, more often than not, the blisters precede or follow the palsy and can be in areas not easily seen.

Tractography-based targeting of the ventral intermediate nucleus: accuracy and clinical utility in MRgFUS thalamotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Tractography-based targeting of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (T-VIM) is a novel method conferring patient-specific selection of VIM coordinates for tremor surgery; however, its accuracy and clinical utility in magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy compared to conventional indirect targeting has not been specifically addressed. This retrospective study sought to compare the treatment locations and potential adverse effect profiles of T-VIM with indirect targeting in a large cohort of MRgFUS thalamotomy patients. METHODS: T-VIM was performed using diffusion tractography outlining the pyramidal and medial lemniscus tracts in 43 MRgFUS thalamotomy patients. T-VIM coordinates were compared with the indirect treatment coordinates used in the procedure. Thalamotomy lesions were delineated on postoperative T1-weighted images and displaced ("translated") by the anteroposterior and mediolateral difference between T-VIM and treatment coordinates. Both translated and actual lesions were normalized to standard space and subsequently overlaid with areas previously reported to be associated with an increased risk of motor and sensory adverse effects when lesioned during MRgFUS thalamotomy. RESULTS: T-VIM coordinates were 2.18 mm anterior and 1.82 mm medial to the "final" indirect treatment coordinates. Translated lesions lay more squarely within the boundaries of the VIM compared to nontranslated lesions and showed significantly less overlap with areas associated with sensory adverse effects. Translated lesions overlapped less with areas associated with motor adverse effects; however, this difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: T-VIM leads to the selection of more anterior and medial coordinates than the conventional indirect methods. Lesions moved toward these anteromedial coordinates avoid areas associated with an increased risk of motor and sensory adverse effects, suggesting that T-VIM may improve clinical outcomes.

Validation of the objective assessment of facial movement with a new software-based system.

BACKGROUND: Most used subjective Unilateral Peripheral Facial Palsy (UPFP) grading systems are characterized by high variability and low reproducibility and doesn't allow a separate evaluation of single facial regions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of a new objective method for classification of UPFP, comparing it with House-Brackmann (HB) and Sunnybrook facial grading (SFGS) systems. METHOD: Forty-seven patients affected by UPFP of different HB grade were included. Each patient underwent a blinded examination by three different operators, via the two subjective methods (HBGS and SFGS) and a newly proposed objective one, that was obtained from a digital video-analysis, named SMART FACIAL system. Results were converted by validated conversion scales into HBGS grades and statistically compared. RESULTS: In 87,23% (n° 41 pts) consistency was found between the grades obtained with all the three evaluation methods; in 10,41% (n°5 pts), between HBGS and SFGS grade and in 2,08% (n°1 pt) between HBGS grades and SMART-FACIAL system. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation among the three systems (p < .000). CONCLUSIONS: The SMART FACIAL system presents high reliability also in comparison with the most frequently used subjective methods. SIGNIFICANCE: This method represents a fast, simple and thorough way to analyze UPFP, especially during physical rehabilitation.