Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Bell's Palsy and Ramsay-Hunt's Syndrome

Lee, Dong Hee; Jun, Beom Cho; Lee, Dong Ho; Hong, Sung Jin; Chang, Ki Hong; Yeo, Sang Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the prognostic factors in Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. Study design: We carried out a retrospective case review in a university-based hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Treatment consisted uniformly of high-dose prednisolone, dextran, vasodilators, carbogen therapy, and stellate ganglion block. In the case of Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome, acyclovir was administered. The recovery of facial nerve function was documented according to the House-Brackmann grading system. All patients were followed up until recovery or at least up to 3 months. RESULTS: The recovery rates to achieve the House-Brackmann grade II or better were 96.3% in Bell's palsy and 84.6% in herpes zoster oticus. In herpes zoster oticus, older patients had poorer initial and final status (p=0.046, p=0.020), as well as less probability of complete recovery (p=0.025) than the younger patients. The herpes zoster oticus patients without diabetus mellitus showed more probability of recovery (p=0.018), higher degree of recovery (p=0.025), and better final status (p=0.012). Also herpes zoster oticus patients without essential hypertension had the higher degree of recovery rate (p=0.019). The herpes zoster oticus patients without vertigo showed more probability of recovery (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: No prognostic factors were found in Bell's palsy. The prognostic factors of herpes zoster oticus were age, diabetus mellitus, essential hypertension and vertigo.