Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the facial nerve in acute isolated peripheral facial palsy

Objectives: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulates the facial nerve just after its entry into the internal auditory meatus. In Bell's palsy, the most common cause of a peripheral facial palsy (PFP), the facial nerve is affected distally to this stimulation side. Thus, the question raises whether PFP can early be differentiated by TMS. Methods: Data of subjects were analysed who had a unilateral PFP of acute onset without a history of an antecedent PFP. TMS, blinkreflex and electrical stimulation at the stylomastoid foramen level had to be done within the first 4 days after onset. Electrical stimulati…