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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Nerve transfer to the median nerve using parts of the ulnar and radial nerves in the rabbit--effects on motor recovery of the median nerve and donor nerve morbidity.

In this study, motor re-innervation of the median nerve by transfer of one-third, one-half, and two-thirds of either the agonistic ulnar nerve or the antagonistic radial nerve was investigated in both extremities of 20 rabbits. Recipient median nerve: Muscle contraction force of the flexor digitorum sublimus muscle after a one-third and a one-half of the ulnar nerve transfer achieved an average of 75 and 97% muscle power respectively as compared to conventional end-to-end neurorrhaphy. Muscle contraction force after one-third or one-half of the radial nerve transfer was significantly lower (36%). Donor nerves: Extensor carpi radialis muscle or flexor carpi ulnaris muscle contraction force 6 months postoperatively demonstrated a significant decrease after a one-half ulnar nerve and a two-thirds ulnar or radial nerve transfer, but not after a one-third transfer of either radial or ulnar nerves. Histologically, the number of axons in the re-innervated median nerve and both donor nerves distal to the coaptation site seemed to follow variable patterns. It was concluded that in the rabbit use of one-third of the agonistic ulnar nerve for re-innervation of the median nerve results in useful motor recovery with negligible donor site morbidity. Clinically, this technique may offer an alternative option for proximal nerve injuries or for free functioning muscle transplantations.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Nerve blocks (subcostal, lateral cutaneous, femoral, triple, psoas) for hip fractures.

BACKGROUND: Various nerve blocks using local anaesthetic agents have been used in order to reduce pain after hip fracture. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of nerve blocks (inserted either pre-operatively, operatively or post-operatively) as part of the treatment for a hip fracture. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group trials register, MEDLINE, and bibliographies of trial reports were searched. Date of the most recent search: April 1998. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials involving the use of nerve blocks as part of the care of a hip fracture patient. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality, by use of an eight item scale, and extracted data. Wherever appropriate, results of outcome measures were pooled. MAIN RESULTS: Six randomised or quasi-randomised trials involving 229 patients were included. One trial related to insertion of a nerve block pre-operatively and the remaining five, to peri-operative insertion. Nerve blocks resulted in a reduction of the quantity of parental or oral analgesia administered to control pain from the fracture/operation or during surgery. It was not possible to demonstrate if this reduction in analgesia use was associated with any clinical benefit. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Because of the small number of patients included in this review and the differing type of nerve blocks and timing of insertion, it is not possible to determine if nerve blocks confer any benefit when compared with other analgesic methods as part of the treatment of a hip fracture. Further trials with larger numbers of patients and full reporting of clinical outcomes would be justified.

Hip Fractures↗
PubMed2002

Nerve regeneration through a healthy peripheral nerve trunk as a nerve conduit: a preliminary study of a new concept in peripheral nerve surgery.

The popularity of nerve conduits has increased recently due to the need for alternative nerve reconstruction techniques, obviating the harvest of nerve grafts. Based on ideas suggesting nerve tissue itself, which was the most physiologic environment for nerve regeneration, a study using 40 sciatic nerves of 20 rats was performed. The proximal stumps of transected peroneal nerves were sutured to the lateral wall of healthy tibial nerve trunks after removal of the epineurium. Twelve weeks later, tissue samples were taken from the anastomosis sites and from the levels above and below these sites. Configurations of fascicles were evaluated, and numbers of fibers were estimated. It was observed that the fibers of peroneal nerves regenerated into and through the tibial nerve trunk distally. This suggested that active regenerating fibers of a proximal stump of a nerve could regenerate and progress as a fascicular unit in optimum condition at the trunk of another healthy nerve. This preliminary study should stimulate further studies based on this new concept: that a nerve trunk can serve as the host for the regenerating fibers of another nerve.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Controlled expansion of peripheral nerves: comparison of nerve grafting and nerve expansion/repair for canine sciatic nerve defects.

The inherent disadvantages of nerve grafting have made it necessary to find alternative techniques for treating segmental nerve loss. This study compares the techniques of nerve grafting and nerve expansion/repair for the management of nerve injuries with segmental nerve loss in an animal model. Bilateral segmental sciatic nerve defects were created in eight dogs. On one side a 2-cm segment was excised and replaced with a nerve graft; on the other side a 2-cm defect was created with ligatures and the nerve underwent preliminary expansion and then repair. Eighteen months later nerve conduction velocity (NCV), gastrocnemius contraction force (GCF), and muscle weight (GMW) were determined for the seven surviving animals. NCV for the expanded repair was 58.66 +/- 34.18 m/sec and 47.73 +/- 7.93 for the grafted repair (p = 0.4); GCF was 619.04 +/- 353.70 gm for the expanded repair and 726.80 +/- 415.78 gm (p = 0.2) for the grafted repair; and GMW was 82.80 +/- 5.68 gm for the expanded repair and 109.55 +/- 20.63 gm (p = 0.02) for the grafted repair. The data suggest that: 1) conventional tissue expansion techniques can be used successfully to repair segmental peripheral nerve defects; 2) NCV and GCF are comparable for grafting and expansion/repair techniques although GMW is significantly higher in the grafted group; and 3) nerve expansion/repair may prove to be a useful alternative to grafting.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Quantification of nerve tension after nerve repair: correlations with nerve defects and nerve regeneration.

This study tested the validity of a quantitative in vitro nerve-tension-measuring technique, by correlating the tension measurements with functional and morphologic assessments of nerve regeneration. Initially, harvested nerves were used in vitro to determine a K value for lateral displacement in this tissue. Next, this value was used to calculate the tension of nerve repair, following 0-, 3-, 6-, and 9-mm resections of nerves in groups of rats. After quantifying the nerve tensions following excision and repair, the authors determined a sciatic function index to evaluate functional recovery and axon diameter in the animals. Functional recovery was significantly impaired in animals with elevated measurable tension (9.04 +/- 0.74 g in a 6-mm defect, 27.76 +/- 8.86 g in a 9-mm defect), compared to animals with no or 3-mm excision and measured tension of 3.3 +/- 1.09 g or less. Increased tension was also associated with a significant decrease in axon diameter. This study succeeded, therefore, in quantitatively relating the elements of measured nerve tension, nerve gaps, functional nerve recovery, and morphologic regeneration. Quantification of nerve tension by lateral displacement in vivo offers a possible solution to clinical management of nerve gaps, when the choice between primary repair and nerve grafting is not a clear one.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Microanatomy and number of nerve fibres of the lower intercostal nerves with respect to a nerve anastomosis. Donor nerve analysis. I. (IV).

A human intercostal nerve has about 10,000 myelinated nerve fibres, of which about 1000 to 2000 are motor. At about the axillary line the nervus intercostalis splits into the ramus cutaneous lateralis and a deep branch to the musculus rectus abdominis and other muscles. The ramus cutaneous lateralis consists of 2 skin branches of about 3000 nerve fibres and a muscle branch to the musculus obliquus externus of about 400 to 1100 nerve fibres. The deep branch to the musculus obliquus internus, the musculus transversus and the musculus rectus abdominis and the anterior skin consists of about 2500 to 7000 fibres of which 400 to 1700 are skin fibres. There is indication that the muscle branch to the musculus obliquus externus has about 50% motor fibres. The intercostal nerve is, as it splits after about 20 cm into 4 branches, a suitable donor of at least 2 different muscle functions and a skin sensible function for a direct nerve anastomosis. A crude model for calculating matching probabilities of motor and sensory fibres between donor and acceptor nerves is introduced. Besides the importance of having enough donor nerve fibres, it is calculated that the small amount of motor nerve fibres can be best used if muscle branches of the donor nerves are connected to muscle branches of the acceptor nerves. Because of the separation between normal laboratory animals and humans on the phylogenetic scale, differences in regeneration and plasticity are discussed.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1995

Nerve regenerating effect of short-course administration of cyclosporine after fresh peripheral nerve allotransplantation in the rat: comparison of nerve regeneration using different forms of donor nerve allografts.

There is almost universal agreement that if cyclosporine (CsA), which is a potent immunosuppressant, is temporarily administered after surgery, regenerated axons will be maintained even after withdrawal of CsA following peripheral nerve allotransplantation. Thus, this experimental study was conducted to investigate whether a difference in donor nerve form, including thickness and length, influences nerve regeneration after withdrawal of immunosuppression with CsA. The findings suggest that as a result of immunosuppression with CsA, large-diameter nerve grafts are better able to induce nerve regeneration than small-diameter grafts, and after withdrawal of the immunosuppressant, thick nerve grafts are also better able to preserve regenerated axons against the rejection reaction than thin grafts. With regard to the length of the grafted nerve, short nerve allografts yield higher axon counts than long ones, the same as with autografts. The best way to induce nerve regeneration appears to be to transplant a short, thick nerve allograft, which is definitely capable of inducing many regenerated axons.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A collagen-based nerve guide conduit for peripheral nerve repair: an electrophysiological study of nerve regeneration in rodents and nonhuman primates.

When a peripheral nerve is severed and left untreated, the most likely result is the formation of an endbulb neuroma; this tangled mass of disorganized nerve fibers blocks functional recovery following nerve injury. Although there are several different approaches for promoting nerve repair, which have been greatly refined over recent years, the clinical results of peripheral nerve repair remain very disappointing. In this paper we compare the results of a collagen nerve guide conduit to the more standard clinical procedure of nerve autografting to promote repair of transected peripheral nerves in rats and nonhuman primates. In rats, we tested recovery from sciatic nerve transection and repair by 1) direct microsurgical suture, 2) 4 mm autograft, or 3) entubulation repair with collagen-based nerve guide conduits. Evoked muscle action potentials (MAP) were recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle at 4 and 12 weeks following sciatic nerve transection. At 4 weeks the repair group of direct suture demonstrated a significantly greater MAP, compared to the other surgical repair groups. However, at 12 weeks all four surgical repair groups displayed similar levels of recovery of the motor response. In six adult male Macaca fascicularis monkeys the median nerve was transected 2 cm above the wrist and repaired by either a 4 mm nerve autograft or a collagen-based nerve guide conduit leaving a 4 mm gap between nerve ends. Serial studies of motor and sensory fibers were performed by recording the evoked MAP from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle (APB) and the sensory action potential (SAP) evoked by stimulation of digital nerves (digit II), respectively, up to 760 days following surgery. Evoked muscle responses returned to normal baseline levels in all cases. Statistical analysis of the motor responses, as judged by the slope of the recovery curves, indicated a significantly more rapid rate of recovery for the nerve guide repair group. The final level of recovery of the MAP amplitudes was not significantly different between the groups. In contrast, the SAP amplitude only recovered to the low normal range and there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of sensory recovery rates. The rodent and primate studies suggest that in terms of recovery of physiological responses from target muscle and sensory nerves, entubulation repair of peripheral nerves with a collagen-based nerve guide conduit over a short nerve gap (4 mm) is as effective as a standard nerve autograft.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[A study on the communication between the pectoral nerve and the extramural nerve branches of the intercostal nerves].

Kumaki et al. (1979) defined the extramural nerve as the rudimentary sensory nerve which appeared on the upper thoracic wall; it branched off the root of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the second, third or fourth intercostal nerve, ran inferomedially adhering to the fascia of the intercostalis externus muscle and ended supplying the membrane covering the adjacent rib. They also stated that the extramural nerve (Rxm) occasionally became a cutaneous nerve which pierced the pectoralis muscles and supplied the skin covering the thoracic wall similar to the lateral cutaneous nerve (Rcl) or the anterior cutaneous nerve (Rca). Further, they proposed that the muscular nerves to the obliquus externus abdominis muscle which are usually situated below the fifth rib might be considered a part of this Rxm series. Although the definition of Rxm is still not widely accepted, Rxm is thought to be a key morphological factor influencing the variations of peripheral nerve arrangement on the thoracic wall. In the student course of gross anatomy dissection at Iwate Medical University School of Medicine during the years 1987-1991, three cases of Rxm communicating with the pectoral nerve and supplying the pectoralis major muscle were observed. Some cases have been reported in which Rcl innervates part of the pectoral muscles. However, the communication between the pectoral nerve and Rxm has not yet been discussed. Therefore, to clarify the morphological significance of the communication between Rxm and the pectoral nerve, the branching pattern and the distribution of the pectoral nerves were extensively investigated and the intramuscular nerve supply of some pectoral nerves, especially the pectoral nerves which communicated with Rxm, was examined in detail under a stereomicroscope. The results are summarized as follows: 1. In the first case, Rxm of the second intercostal nerve originated from Rcl, ran inferomedially adhering to the fascia of the intercostalis externus muscle and pierced the origin of the pectoralis minor muscle at the third intercostal space. Then Rxm turned superolaterally to communicate with a pectoral nerve which originated from the loop composed of the lateral and medial pectoral nerves and passed inferior to the pectoralis minor muscle. After communication, the pectoral nerve with Rxm supplied the caudalmost part of the sternocostal portion of the pectoralis major muscle. In the second case, a similar branch of Rxm of the second intercostal nerve passed inferior to the pectoralis minor muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Predegenerated nerve allografts versus fresh nerve allografts in nerve repair.

This study reevaluated the possibility of using predegenerated nerves as donor nerve allografts for nerve repair and compared the results of functional recovery to those obtained after standard, fresh nerve allograft repair. Twenty donor rats underwent a ligature/ section of the left sciatic nerve 4 weeks before nerve graft harvesting. Forty recipient rats underwent severing of the left sciatic nerve leaving a 15-mm gap between the nerve stumps. Graft repair was undertaken using either the predegenerated left sciatic nerve of the 20 donor rats (predegenerated group, 20 recipient rats) or the normal right sciatic nerve of the 20 donor rats (fresh group, 20 recipient rats). Recovery of function was assessed by gait analysis, electrophysiologic testing and histologic studies. Walking tracks measurements at 2 and 3 months, electromyography parameters at 2 and 3 months, peroperative nerve conduction velocity and nerve action potential amplitude measurements at 3 months, as well as assessments of myelinated nerve fiber density and surface of myelination showed that fresh and predegenerated nerve grafts induced a comparable return of function although there was some trend in higher electrophysiologic values in the predegenerated group. The only slight but significant difference was a larger mean nerve fiber diameter in the nerve segment distal to a predegenerated nerve graft compared to a fresh nerve graft. Although our study does not show a dramatic long-term advantage for predegenerated nerve grafts compared to fresh nerve grafts, their use as prosthetic material is encouraging.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Using intact nerve to bridge peripheral nerve defects: an alternative to the use of nerve grafts.

This preliminary study was conducted to determine whether a regenerating peripheral nerve in a rat model can use the epineurium of an intact nerve to bridge a nerve gap defect. To create the intact nerve bridge a 1-cm segment of the peroneal nerve is resected leaving a gap defect. The proximal and distal peroneal nerve stumps are sutured 1-cm apart, in an end-to-side fashion, to the epineurium of the intact tibial nerve. The following experimental groups were used (n = 12): group A, immediate primary repair of resected segment; group B, intact nerve bridge technique; group C, nerve autograft; and group D, gap in situ control. Evaluation 12 weeks after surgery included measurement of the tibialis anterior muscle contraction force, axonal counting, wet weight of the tibialis anterior muscle, and histologic examination. The results of this animal study support 3 main conclusions: regenerating axons can use the epineurium of an intact nerve to bridge a gap in nerve continuity; when using functional recovery to assess regeneration, there is no significant difference between standard nerve autografts and the intact nerve bridge technique; and based on histologic examination, the intact nerve bridge technique does not injure the intact tibial nerve used to bridge the gap defect. Taken together, the results of this preliminary animal study suggest that the intact nerve bridge technique may be a potential alternative to standard nerve autografts in appropriate circumstances. Further investigation in a higher animal model is warranted before considering clinical application of the intact nerve bridge technique.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Monkey median nerve repaired by nerve graft or collagen nerve guide tube.

Nerve regeneration was followed in 15 median and 1 ulnar nerve of eight Macaca fascicularis monkeys by serial electrophysiological assessments over a period of three and a half years. Nerve gaps of 5 mm at the wrist were bridged by collagen-based nerve guides, nerve autografts, or direct suture repairs. Thenar muscle reinnervation occurred between 50 and 70 d for all groups, indicating axonal elongation rates of approximately 1 mm/d. The recovery rates of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and the compound sensory action potential (CSAP) amplitudes were significantly slower after direct suture repair compared to the other two procedures, although the final levels of recovery were all comparable. Similar results were achieved in one median and one ulnar nerve following nerve guide repair of a 15 mm nerve gap. The functional reinnervation of Pacinian corpuscles was detected in all cases following either nerve graft or nerve guide repair, with similar amplitudes and latencies of the tactile evoked CSAP for both types of repair. Histological analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the number of myelinated axons in the median nerve distal to the nerve lesions following both nerve graft and nerve guide repairs compared to proximal and normal controls, with significant reductions of fiber diameter and corresponding increases in g-ratio. The return of a bimodal frequency distribution of myelinated axon fiber diameter was confirmed by three-dimensional surface plots which illustrate the frequency distribution of the relationship between fiber diameter and g-ratio. These combined results demonstrate that nerve regeneration after repair of a 5 mm nerve gap with a collagen nerve guide in the nonhuman primate is similar to that after graft repair, and the final level of physiological recovery for both repair procedures is comparable to direct suture repair of the median nerve.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

Nerve fiber planimetry in acute and chronic nerve lesions and in nerve lesions in continuity.

The level of resection of damaged nerve tissue in acute and chronic nerve lesions was determined on the basis of the vascular structure, the consistency of the nerve during palpation, the amount of interfascicular connective tissue, and the mushroom formation of the fascicles. Intraoperative electrophysiologic recordings were performed on the cut nerve ends to determine the function of the axons. Postoperative planimetric analyses of cross sections made through the resected nerve stumps were performed to measure axonal and endoneural tube diameters and to correlate these results with the clinical criteria used through the operating microscope. Axons in the proximal nerve ends of acute and chronic nerve lesions displayed a similar mean diameter. Endoneural tubes in chronic nerve lesions shrunk significantly as nerve repair was delayed. In several nerve lesions in continuity, axons remained present across the injured site despite absence of electrical conduction. When comparing the results of axonal or endoneural tube diameters of chronic nerve lesions to the results of other studies or acute nerve lesions, we demonstrated that careful examination through the operating microscope provided valid information about the proper management and resection level of chronic nerve lesions. Electrophysiologic evaluation aided the surgical management but was not useful for the resection of the distal damaged nerve segment. The presence of an evoked potential in the proximal nerve ends guaranteed a nearly normal nerve fiber diameter distribution, while the absence of such a potential in the distal nerve ends indicated an abnormal, absent, or disturbed endoneural tube diameter histogram.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Experimental study on donor nerves for brachial plexus injury: comparison between the spinal accessory nerve and the intercostal nerve.

The spinal accessory nerve and intercostal nerves are widely used as donor nerves for neurotization in patients with brachial plexus injuries. However, the characteristic differences in reinnervation by the spinal accessory and intercostal nerves have not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to compare the resulting contractile properties of the biceps muscles following nerve-crossing procedures of spinal accessory nerve and intercostal nerves to the musculocutaneous nerves. In 10 beagle dogs, the spinal accessory nerve was used to reinnervate the left biceps muscle, and the second and third intercostal nerves were used to reinnervate the right biceps muscle. After 10 months, the reinnervated muscles were studied by measuring their force of contraction as well as by histochemical methods. Biceps muscles reinnervated by spinal accessory nerves (A transfers) acquired the properties of fast, fatigable muscles, whereas those reinnervated by intercostal nerves (IC transfers) acquired the properties of slow, fatigue-resistant muscles. Furthermore, histochemical studies showed that type II fibers were predominant in A transfers, whereas type I fibers were predominant in IC transfers. This study clearly demonstrates the differences between the spinal accessory nerve and intercostal nerves as donor nerves. This may lead us to select appropriate donor nerves for nerve-crossing procedures and free-muscle transfer depending on the desired functions to be reconstructed.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed2004

Restoration of motor function of the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve by direct nerve transfer of branches from the tibial nerve: an anatomical study.

Traction injuries of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve frequently result in significant morbidity due to tibialis anterior muscle paralysis and the associated loss of ankle dorsiflexion. Because current treatment options are often unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, other treatment approaches need to be explored. In this investigation, the anatomical feasibility of an alternative option, consisting of nerve transfer of motor branches from the tibial nerve to the deep fibular nerve, was studied. In ten cadaveric limbs, the branching pattern, length, and diameter of motor branches of the tibial nerve in the proximal leg were characterized; nerve transfer of each of these motor branches was then simulated to the proximal deep fibular nerve. A consistent, reproducible pattern of tibial nerve innervation was seen with minor variability. Branches to the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus muscles were determined to be adequate, based on their branch point, branch pattern, and length, for direct nerve transfer in all specimens. Other branches, including those to the tibialis posterior, popliteus, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were not consistently adequate for direct nerve transfer for injuries extending to the bifurcation of the common fibular nerve or distal to it. For neuromas of the common fibular nerve that do not extend as far distally, branches to the soleus and lateral head of the gastrocnemius may be adequate for direct transfer if the intramuscular portions of these nerves are dissected. This study confirms the anatomical feasibility of direct nerve transfer using nerves to toe-flexor muscles as a treatment option to restore ankle dorsiflexion in cases of common fibular nerve injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Emergence of radial nerve dominance in median nerve cortex after median nerve transection in an adult squirrel monkey.

Throughout the glabrous representation in Area 3b, electrical stimulation of the dominant (median or ulnar) input produces robust, short-latency excitation, evident as a net extracellular "sink" in the Lamina 4 current source density (CSD) accompanied by action potentials. Stimulation of the collocated nondominant (radial nerve) input produces a subtle short-latency response in the Lamina 4 CSD unaccompanied by action potentials and followed by a clear excitatory response 12-15 ms later. Laminar response profiles for both inputs have a "feedforward" pattern, with initial activation in Lamina 4, followed by extragranular laminae. Such corepresentation of nondominant radial nerve inputs with the dominant (median or ulnar nerve) inputs in the glabrous hand surface representation provides a likely mechanism for reorganization after median nerve section in adult primates. To investigate this, we conducted repeated recordings using an implanted linear multi-electrode array straddling the cortical laminae at a site in "median nerve cortex" (i.e., at a site with a cutaneous receptive field on the volar surface of D2 and thus with its dominant afferent input conveyed by the median nerve) in an adult squirrel monkey. We characterized the baseline responses to median, radial, and ulnar nerve stimulation. We then cut the median nerve and semichronically monitored radial nerve, ulnar nerve and median nerve (proximal stump) evoked responses. The radial nerve response in median nerve cortex changed progressively during the weeks after median nerve transection, ultimately assuming the characteristics of the dominant nerve profile. During this time, median, and ulnar nerve profiles displayed little or no change.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Recovery of facial nerve function using sural nerve transplantation after its injury in acoustic nerve surgery].

INTRODUCTION: Statoacoustic n. neurinoma is a benign, slow-growing and usually unilateral tumor. During its growth the tumor exerts pressure on the surrounding anatomic forms within the pontocerebellar angle: cranial nerves, pons, cerebellum. Therefore the first clinical symptoms are ear buzzing and deafness, vision disorders, occipital headache or walking difficulties. The diagnosis of such conditions must be precise, whereas CT (computerized tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are the methods of choice. Surgical tumor removal is the only therapy, but during surgery facial nerve injury occurs. The objective of this paper is a case report of a facial nerve injury and sural nerve transplantation during acoustic neurinoma surgery and recovery of facial nerve function. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old male patient suffered from ear buzzing in the right ear for a year and a half with gradual development of deafness. Due to frequent headaches and after ophthalmologic examination, the patient was urgently hospitalized at the Neurology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad where MRI of the endocranium was performed revealing a tumor of the pontocerebellar right angle, 3 x 3.5 cm in size. The patient has undergone surgery at the Neurosurgery Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine in Pees in Hungary, with suboccipital craniotomy and tumor ablation. During surgery facial nerve injury occurred in the premeatal segment and intraoperative transplantation of sural nerve grafts from the left leg to the distal parts of the facial nerve was performed. The histopathologic finding revealed an acoustic neurinoma (Schwannoma). After surgery a control CT was performed revealing a complete tumor removal. The wound healed per primam intentionem and the patient was released from hospital two weeks later. During the postoperative period physical therapy was performed in the aim of rehabilitation of the facial nerve due to peripheral paralysis. After electrodiagnostic tests using GALVOMED 20 apparatus, massage was performed in the periorbital and perioral regions. Kinesitherapy was also done in front of a mirror several times a day. 6 months after surgery an EMG (electromyography) of m. frontalis dx., m. orbicularis oculi dx. and m. orbicularis oris dx. were performed. The EMG revealed evident reinnervation possibilities. A year after surgery the control MR finding of the endocranium was regular, as well as the control MR two years after surgery (postoperative cyst without signs of recurrence of the removed neurinoma). Control EMG of the m. frontalis dx., m. orbicularis oculi dx., m. orbicularis oris dx. showed signs of reinnervation. DISCUSSION: Tumors of the pontocerebellar angle are usually acoustic nerve neurinomas. 8% of intracranial tumors are Schwannomas. They originate from neurilemmal cells, by rule they grow slowly and are benign tumors. Therefore, for years the only signs pointing to them are ear buzzing and gradual development of deafness. That is why these anamnestic data are important for diagnosis. Headaches, walking difficulties, vision disorders are the usual difficulties due to which patients seek doctor's help. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging represent the diagnostic methods of choice in establishing the diagnosis. In this case MRI was performed on time. Surgery is the only therapy, but during tumor ablation the facial nerve was injured in the premeatal region. Intraoperative transplantation of grafts taken from sural nerve to proximal and distal parts of the facial nerve provides possibilities for injured nerve regeneration. The process of regeneration of such a nerve is long-term and often permanent 40% axon loss occurs. This is the reason to perform a control EMG two years after surgery. During peripheral paralysis rehabilitation is performed in the aim of preventing contractures. It is achieved by passive exercises in front of a mirror a few times a day. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Adult↗