House Brackman Scale is used for evaluation of which nerve function?

 # House Brackman Scale is used for evaluation of which nerve function? 

A. Facial 

B. Trigeminal 

C. Optic 

D. Hypoglossal 

The correct answer is A. Facial.

House-Brackmann facial paralysis scale

Grade                      Impairment

I                              Normal

II                            Mild dysfunction (slight weakness, normal symmetry at rest)

III                         Moderate dysfunction (obvious but not disfiguring weakness with synkinesis, normal symmetry at rest)  Complete eye closure w/ maximal effort, good forehead movement

IV                         Moderately severe dysfunction (obvious and disfiguring asymmetry, significant synkinesis)  Incomplete eye closure, moderate forehead movement

V                          Severe dysfunction (barely perceptible motion)

VI                         Total paralysis (no movement)

 

*Please note: This scale is used to evaluate facial paralysis at the nerve trunk, and is not a descriptive scale to describe an injury to specific distal facial nerve branches.

Spontaneous nystagmus

First degree: nystagmus on gaze toward the quick component

Second degree: nystagmus on gaze toward the quick component and on straight gaze

Third degree: nystagmus in all directions of gaze

References:

1. House JW, Brackmann DE. Facial nerve grading system. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Apr 1985;93(2):146-7