The value of F wave in Bell's palsy - a study of F wave response in the facial muscles
Ahiron, A.; Sarova-Pinhas, I.
Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 24(1-2): 99-106
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-150X PMID: 6697955 Document Number: 237744
F wave response was recorded from facial muscles in 33 untreated patients with complete Bell's palsy and in 30 normal subjects. All the patients were examined within 10 days of the onset of the palsy. The normal value of F conduction time was 2.87 .+-. 1.13 ms. The mean F conduction time in all the patients with Bell's Palsy was 6.02 .+-. 3.87 ms. Statistical analysis of the results of F wave responses from facial muscles in patients with Bell's Palsy demonstrates 2 subgroups: 1 with proximal nerve lesion and 1 with distal nerve lesion. F response can be used as a diagnostic tool for localization of the nerve lesion, but has no value as a prognostic indicator in the early stage of Bell's palsy.