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Unilateral transient forehead paralysis following injury to the temporal branch of the facial nerve
Author(s) -
Flynn Timothy Corcoran,
Emmanouil Panagiota,
Limmer Bradley
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00716.x
Subject(s) - eyebrow , medicine , forehead , paralysis , facial nerve , surgery , anatomy , supraorbital nerve , facial paralysis , anesthesia , reflex , corneal reflex
Background Cutaneous surgery in the temporal region of the forehead can lead to injury to the superficial temporal branch of the facial nerve. A flattened forehead and with ipsilateral forehead paralysis can occur with damage to this nerve. Methods A case is presented of transient forehead paralysis resulting from Mohs’ micrographic surgery with reconstruction of the defect. The paralysis resolved over a period of fifteen months. Results The anatomy of the nerve makes it susceptible to injury during cutaneous surgery. The area of danger is the area superior to the zygomatic arch and lateral to the lateral eyebrow where the nerve is closest to the skin. Conclusions Restoration of motor function usually occurs without intervention, but may take several months. Should motor function not recur, nerve grafting of a repair of the ptotic brow may be needed. The anatomy of the nerve is reviewed and brow lifting options are discussed.