Magnetic resonance imaging of the facial nerve. Normal anatomy and pathology.

Magnetic resonance imaging with surface coils permits visualization of the facial nerve from within the brainstem and continuing through a major portion of the parotid gland. Diagnostic capabilities have been expanded to include white matter disease that affects the tracts of the facial nerve within the brainstem and tumors of the parotid gland that involve the facial nerve trunks after the nerve exists from the stylomastoid foramen.