[New stapedius reflex patterns].

Abstract

Basing on the stapedius reflex patterns, published by Jerger, the author reports about stapedius reflex patterns of patients who had recovered from facial palsy. The reflex patterns of these patients did not correspond to those which could be expected; they did not reflect the damaged and the undamaged branch of the acousticofacial reflex band, but showed patterns indicating a lesion of the brainstem. On the basis of these findings the question arises whether the lesion in Bell's palsy is really peripheral or central.