[Neurogenic inflammation and area of involvement of the facial nerve of the rat].

Antidromic electrical stimulation of sensory nerves produces vascular hyperpermeability, plasma protein extravasation and oedema. The initial phase of this inflammatory reaction is induced by the release of the neuropeptides CGRP, SP and NKA; the later phase is induced by mast cells. In previous investigations we were able to show that the facial nerve of the rat contains CGRP, SP and NKA as well as mast cells. The same mechanism--increased vascular permeability--plasma extravasation--oedema--is thought to be part of the pathogenesis of Bell's palsy. Hence, we tried to produce neurogenic inflammations in the facial nerves of six adult Wistar rats. To assess plasma extravasation we used Evans blue, a dye which binds to serum albumin, according to the method described by Brokaw and White (1992). Having cut the facial nerve distal of the stylomastoid foramen we induced a neurogenic inflammation by the application of an electrical stimulus to the distal part of the nerve. In comparison to the contralateral, non-stimulated side, we recognized that the inflammatory reactions were limited to the area of the skin innervated by the posterior auricular nerve. So far, we can transfer this "neurogenic inflammation model" the well-known relationship between nerves and inflammatory reactions to this limited area innervated by the facial nerve.