Congenital bifurcation of the intratemporal facial nerve

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2003 Aug;24(7):1334-7.

Abstract

Anomalies of the course of the facial nerve have been reported in association with middle and inner ear malformations. Bifurcation of its intratemporal portion is a rare malformation in which focal splitting of one or more facial nerve segments occurs. We describe the CT appearance of this anomaly and discuss its possible embryology. Facial nerve bifurcation is important to recognize in patients undergoing evaluation for congenital hearing loss and other congenital ear malformations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Facial Nerve / abnormalities*
  • Facial Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Facial Nerve Diseases / congenital*
  • Facial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / congenital
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / congenital
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Temporal Bone / abnormalities*
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed