J Korean Pain Soc.  1998 Oct;11(2):326-331.

Bilateral Alternating Bell's Palsy Treated with Stellate Ganglion Block

• Woo YC
• Koo GH

Abstract

Facial nerve paralysis is a common pain clinical diagnosis. But ipsilateral or contralateral recurrent facial paralysis is found in about 2.6-19.5% of facial paralysis and especially bilateral facial paralysis is rare. While idiopathic facial paralysis is the most common diagnosis, a comprehensive evaluation must be completed prior to this diagnosis in patients with bilateral facial paralysis. A representative case of bilateral alternating facial paralysis treated with stellate ganglion block (SGB) is presented. A 57 years old male patient who had the onset of a right facial paralysis 7 months ago visited pain clinic. Five months after the onset of right facial paralysis, as it was improving, he developed a left facial paralysis. He had history of hypertension, diabetus mellitus and pain episode on mastoid process before facial paralysis developed. Electrical test showed incomplete neuropathy on both side and computed tomography (CT) scan was normal. He was treated with SGB, physical theraphy and aspirin medication. After 25 times SGB, he was recovered almost completely.

Keyword

Disease, facial palsy, bilateral; Anesthetic technique, stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Aspirin
Bell Palsy*
Diagnosis
Facial Nerve
Facial Paralysis
Humans
Hypertension
Male
Mastoid
Middle Aged
Pain Clinics
Paralysis
Stellate Ganglion*
Aspirin