Facial nerve peripheral paralysis in 76 patients

Address for correspondence:\ud Marko G. Klissurski, MD, PhD\ud Clinic of Neurology\ud University Hospital “Ts. Yoanna”\ud 8 “Bialo more” Street\ud 1527 Sofia \ud Tel/Fax: (+ 359 2) 9432-160\ud e-mail: mklissurski@yahoo.comAim of the study was to evaluate the etiology, clinical profile and evolution of the facial nerve peripheral paralysis (FNPP) and to assess the relationship between the different etiological and treatment modalities that influence the prognosis and recovery. A total of 76 patients with idiopathic or symptomatic facial lesion were evaluated. The assessment of the paresis was done according to a modified scale of House and Brackmann. Complex treatment received 56 patients. The time of complete recovery (CR) and number of patients at day 30, 45 and 90 were estimated, considering the different risk and prognostic factors. Sixty eight percent of the patients had idiopathic Bell’s paralysis. The right side was affected in 42 patients; moderate paresis was observed in 34, and severe damage in 40 patients. The mean time of CR was estimated to be 34.7 +/- 12 days; 49.3% of patients improved completely in 30 days, 73.6% in 45 days, and 88.2% in 90 days. Most of the patients with FNPP improve in less than three months. Complex examination including EMG is needed to predict the evolution of FNPP. Unfavorable factors for recovery are the advanced age, herpetic infection, delayed initiation of a complex therapy, diabetes mellitus, recurrent paresis and severe EMG changes