Introduction
Somatosensory-evoked blink reflex (SBR) is an eye blink response obtained from electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves or the skin area of the body away from the face.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SBR in peripheral facial palsy (PFP) and its relation with clinical and electrophysiological changes occurring in PFP as compared with postfacial syndrome (PFS).
Setting and design
This was a single-center, public hospital-based electromyography laboratory study. It was designed as a cross-sectional examination of consecutive patients with PFP and PFS and apparently healthy volunteers.
Patients and methods
The study included 25 patients with PFP, 25 patients with PFS, and 31 healthy volunteers. Facial nerve motor conduction, trigeminal blink reflex, and SBR were studied.
Statistical analysis
Quantitative data were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Qualitative data…show more content… The volunteers consisted of medical staff, their relatives, and patients' relatives. Clinical diagnosis of PFP was based on the presence of acute onset of weakness of the facial muscles due to unilateral dysfunction in the seventh cranial nerve [7] . Clinical diagnosis of PFS was based on the presence of movement triggered muscle spasms and activation of facial muscles together with voluntary or automatic activation. It occurs in most patients who have suffered from significant axonal degeneration after PFP [8] . Exclusion criteria included diabetes mellitus, endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, rheumatological disorders, and neurological disorders including peripheral neuropathy. The study was explained to the participants and an informed consent was given by each. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University,
