Emory Facial Nerve Program

This wonderful gentleman suffered from severe right-sided facial synkinesis and smile asymmetry following surgery for an acoustic neuroma. He underwent targeted facial neurectomies and myectomies for his smile deformity and Botox treatments around the eye with a dramatic improvement in his smile and synkinesis. It’s never too late to get better.

This wonderful lady suffered from severe facial synkinesis and smile asymmetry following Bell’s palsy for nearly 15 years prior to presenting to our program. She underwent targeted facial neurectomies and myectomies as well as Botox treatment with a dramatic improvement in her smile and synkinesis. It’s never too late to get better.

In a recent blog for the American Head and Neck Society, I covered facial paralysis resulting from perineural spread (PNS) of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN). A high index of clinical suspicion is critical for detection and prompt treatment. Most cases present with indolent, progressively worsening facial paralysis +/- facial numbness or pain over the span of weeks to months. This presentation distinguishes PNS-related facial palsy from causes of benign paralysis such as Bell’s palsy or Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, which progress to complete paralysis within 72 hours. Adding to the diagnostic dilemma, many patients may not report a history of cSCCHN excision or may have a very remote history of excision. Swipe right to see a histologic photo of malignant neural infiltration by squamous cancer cells. Full post can be read using the address below.


https://www.ahns.info/malignant-facial-palsy-in-the-setting-of-cutaneous-head-and-neck-squamous-cell-carcinoma/

This wonderful patient underwent targeted facial myectomies, Botox injections and neuromuscular retraining to treat her right-sided facial synkinesis and spasms. She has made dramatic improvements in her facial function as well as symmetry.