The histopathologic findings for a patient with acute facial paralysis caused by herpes zoster oticus who obtained no return of active facial function after 1 year are presented. All imaging studies were nondiagnostic. Biopsy of the labyrinthine segment was performed. Histopathologic analysis showed a sharp line of demarcation between sclerotic nerve proximal to and necrotic nerve distal to the meatal foramen area of the fallopian canal. This finding is consistent with observations that the lesion producing Bell's palsy and herpes zoster oticus usually is situated at the meatal foramen.
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