Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) is an alteration in the functioning of some facial muscles following an injury to the facial nerve. This pathology has functional and aesthetic consequences that impact the quality of life of patients. Their care is essential and begins with an accurate assessment. Currently, scoring scales such as Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) or House-Brackmann Grading System (HBGS) are used, based on clinician judgment. However, these evaluation methods can be subject to a certain degree of subjectivity. Recent advances in technology have led to increased interest in artificial intelligence (AI). AI could make it possible to develop an objective, automated and quantitative assessment tool, applicable in a clinical setting. This approach aims to reduce the subjectivity induced by current evaluation. We conducted a retrospective study of 38 patients with moderate-severe to total PFPs. The objective of the study is to identify the benefits and limitations of Emotrics+, a facial metrics tool based on AI, in order to determine whether the tool is applicable in the clinic. This protocol took place at two different time periods (14days and 1year post-PFP) using the SFGS scale and the Emotrics+ software. We evaluated the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in order to determine the reliability and the reproducibility of the two tools. Then, we established a correlation between the two tools to determine if Emotrics+ followed SFGS's trend. Our currents results do not support the immediate applicability of this software. However, with appropriates adjustments, Emotrics+ has a certain potential.
Purpose: To investigate the leg perforator arterial system, identify the perforator flap's pedicle artery and its projected cutaneous point using a 320-slice computed tomography (CT 320) scanner.
Methods: A total of 24 patients with leg soft-tissue defects unilaterally underwent 320-slice CT angiography scanning (CTA 320) with 47 legs. The used method enabled investigation of the perforator arteries originating from the tibial, peroneal arteries, perforator flap's pedicle artery and its projected cutaneous point. These data were used to preoperatively design an improved flap. Then, the CT-confirmed location and length of the flap's pedicle artery were compared with intraoperative findings.
Results: Findings of the CTA 320 on 47 legs showed that 217 perforator arteries with diameters of ≥0.5mm were detected; the average number of arteries per leg, their average length and diameter were 4.6±2.1, 30.7±10.4mm and 1.16±0.27mm, respectively. The perforator arteries originating from the anterior tibial artery were mainly distributed in the proximal and middle thirds of the leg. Perforators from the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries were distributed abundantly in the middle and distal thirds of the leg. As identified in the CT, the location and length of the flap's pedicle artery and its projected cutaneous point were consistent with those observed during the surgery.
Conclusions: The CTA 320 is a minimally invasive imaging method that provides high-quality images of the leg perforator arterial system and can identify the exact location and projected cutaneous point of the perforator flap's pedicle artery.