[Reliability of magnetic stimulation in the diagnosis of peripheral facial paralysis of idiopathic origin].

To evaluate the transcranial magnetic stimulation in the early diagnosis of traumatic facial palsy 7 patients with an incomplete Bell's palsy were examined. The clinical examination, electric stimulation and magnetic stimulation were performed daily from the 2nd day until the 6th day, at the 12th day and three months after onset of the disease. The mean latency of the surface potential of the orbicularis oculi muscle after electrical stimulation was 2.7 msec. On the healthy side the answer following transcranial ipsilateral cisternal magnetic stimulation was detectable after 6.8 msec. From the beginning no response could be recorded on the affected side. After clinical restitution of the Bell's palsy after three months there was still no response. On the other hand, the controlateral, cortical transcranial magnetic stimulation was not significantly reduced. In conclusion, the cisternal transcranial magnetic stimulation gives no further information beyond the clinical examination. The cisternal stimulation is useful, if a clinical examination is impossible e.g. in an unconscious patient after head injury.