抄録
Stapedial reflex was observed during the course of recovery in eighteen patients with unilateral peripheral facial paralysis. They had type A tympanogram and normal hearing.
Diphasic waves were recorded in 8 patients, and 2 patients exhibited waves with more than three phases. These multiphasic waves were clearly observed when the intensity of stimuli was around 10dB higher than the threshold. They were not detected a higher intensities and tended to disappear when the facial nerve function was restored.
In one patient who showed multiphasic reflex, external meatal pressure was positive and multiphasic. This positive meatal pressure was considered to be generated by stapedial muscle contraction. These findings suggest that these multiphasic stapedial reflex waves are attributed to the incomplete recovery of stapedial muscle function.
Patients who show multiphasic stapedial reflex may be good candidates for investigating the mechanism of these reflexes.
