Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Experimental Facial Nerve Paralysis

Recently, it has been reported that the facial nerve shows enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) in patients with such conditions as Bell’s palsy or traumatic facial nerve paralysis. The site of involvement in Bell’s palsy remains unknown, and accurate lesion-site information is useful for surgical planning in cases of facial nerve paralysis. The importance of this technique in detecting the lesion site has been discussed, but the mechanism of facial nerve enhancement is unknown. In the present study, in order to elucidate the correlation between facial nerve enhancement and lesion site, Gd-MRI study was performed in the rabbit.