scholarly journals Corticosteroid Use in Otolaryngology: Current Considerations During the COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110642
Author(s):  
C.W. David Chang ◽  
Edward D. McCoul ◽  
Selena E. Briggs ◽  
Elizabeth A. Guardiani ◽  
Marlene L. Durand ◽  
...  

Objective To offer pragmatic, evidence-informed advice on administering corticosteroids in otolaryngology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering therapeutic efficacy, potential adverse effects, susceptibility to COVID-19, and potential effects on efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and guideline databases. Review Methods Guideline search strategies, supplemented by database searches on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), idiopathic facial nerve paralysis (Bell’s palsy), sinonasal polyposis, laryngotracheal disorders, head and neck oncology, and pediatric otolaryngology, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and COVID-19–specific findings. Conclusions Systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) reduce long-term morbidity in individuals with SSNHL and Bell’s palsy, reduce acute laryngotracheal edema, and have benefit in perioperative management for some procedures. Topical or locally injected corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. SCSs have not shown long-term benefit for sinonasal disorders. SCSs are not a contraindication to vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that these vaccines are safe for immunocompromised patients. Implications for Practice SCS use for SSNHL, Bell’s palsy, laryngotracheal edema, and perioperative care should follow prepandemic standards. Local or topical corticosteroids are preferable for most other otolaryngologic indications. Whether SCSs attenuate response to vaccination against COVID-19 or increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. Immunosuppression may lower vaccine efficacy, so immunocompromised patients should adhere to recommended infection control practices. COVID-19 vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines is safe for immunocompromised patients.

1995 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 574-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Sugita ◽  
Yasuo Fujiwara ◽  
Shingo Murakami ◽  
Yoshinari Hirata ◽  
Naoaki Yanagihara ◽  
...  

We have been the first to succeed in producing an acute and transient facial paralysis simulating Bell's palsy, by inoculating herpes simplex virus into the auricles or tongues of mice. The KOS strain of the virus was injected into the auricle of 104 mice and the anterior two thirds of the tongue in 30 mice. Facial paralysis developed between 6 and 9 days after virus inoculation, continued for 3 to 7 days, and then recovered spontaneously. The animals were painlessly sacrificed between 6 and 20 days after inoculation for histopathologic and immunocytochemical study. Histopathologically, severe nerve swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vacuolar degeneration were manifested in the affected facial nerve and nuclei. Herpes simplex virus antigens were also detected in the facial nerve, geniculate ganglion, and facial nerve nucleus. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of the facial paralysis are discussed in light of the histopathologic findings, in association with the causation of Bell's palsy.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Toye Olajide ◽  
Waheed Atilade Adegbiji ◽  
Akinwale Olaleye Akinbade ◽  
Anthony Oyebanji Olajuyin ◽  
Paul Olowoyo

Background/Aim: Facial nerve palsy may cause facial asymmetry, functional and cosmetic impairment, and therefore imposes great psychological and social problems on the individual with the condition. The aim of this paper was to highlight the aetiological profile of facial nerve palsy (FNP) in two tertiary institutions in Ekiti, southwest, Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with facial nerve palsy seen and treated at Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) clinic. All folders and registers of patients diagnosed with facial nerve palsy from January 2010 to December 2019 in the central, ENT and Dental medical records departments were retrieved and reviewed. The information extracted included the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, clinical presentation, type and aetiology of FNP, side affected, diagnosis/impression, nature of impairment, type of lesion, onset of the disease, treatment and outcome. Results: Of 76 patients analysed, 48(63.2%) were males and 28(36.8%) were females given a male to female ratio of 1:1.7. Their age ranged between 5 to 72 years with a mean of 39.83 ± 17.58 SD. The age range 21-40 years was most commonly affected, representing 31 (40.8%). The commonest cause of facial nerve paralysis was Bell’s palsy in 32(42.1%), followed by trauma 28(36.9%). Of the 28 (36.9%) that was caused by trauma, road traffic injury constituted 15(53.6%). Half (50.0 %) of the lesion affected right side of the face. Seventy (92.1%) was treated medically. Majority (37.0%) presented within one week of their symptoms. All the patients presented with deviation of mouth, followed by inability to close eye in 70 (92.1%). Higher proportion (88.2%) of our patients had lower motor neuron lesion. Conclusion: This study found that majority of our patients was young adults. Bell’s palsy was a major cause of facial nerve paralysis followed by trauma. Most of our patient presented early and did well on conservative treatment. High index of suspicion is essential especially when patients present with injuries involving head and neck region.


2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (7) ◽  
pp. 616-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naohito Hato ◽  
Hisanobu Kisaki ◽  
Nobumitu Honda ◽  
Hirotaka Takahashi ◽  
Shingo Murakami ◽  
...  

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been proven to be a cause of Bell's palsy; however, the underlying pathophysiology of the facial nerve paralysis is not fully understood. We established a mouse model with facial nerve paralysis induced by HSV-1 infection simulating Bell's palsy and investigated the pathophysiology of the facial nerve paralysis. The time course of the R1 latency in the blink reflex tests paralleled the recovery of the facial nerve paralysis well, whereas electroneurographic recovery tended to be delayed, compared to that of the paralysis; these responses are usually seen in Bell's palsy. On histopathologic analysis, intact, demyelinated, and degenerated nerves were intermingled in the facial nerve in the model. The similarity of the time course of facial nerve paralysis and the electrophysiological results in Bell's palsy and the model strongly suggest that the pathophysiological basis of Bell's palsy is a mixed lesion of various nerve injuries.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Mark Kubik ◽  
Liliana Robles ◽  
Doris Kung

Objective. To describe a unique case of familial Bell’s palsy and summarize the current literature regarding possible hereditary influences.Design. Case report.Main Outcome Measures. Clinical exam, CSF analysis, and family history provided per the patient.Results. We report the case of a 58-year-old female who presented with recurrent and bilateral episodes of facial palsy. The patient underwent multiple CSF investigations to rule out a possible infectious and rheumatologic etiology that were all negative. Further questioning revealed she was one of seven family members with a history of unilateral facial nerve paralysis.Conclusion. The sheer number of similar case studies to date suggests that familial clustering of Bell’s palsy is a real, noncoincidental phenomenon. Our case represents a unique and perplexing example of one such family. Familial Bell’s palsy may represent an autoimmune disease secondary to inherited HLA alloantigens or a structural predisposition to disease based on the dimensions of the facial canal.


1990 ◽  
Vol 104 (9) ◽  
pp. 713-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand D. Deshpande

AbstractA case of recurrent Bell's palsy occurring in two successive pregnancies in a 37-year-old woman is presented. The causes of facial nerve paralysis of the lower motor neurone type are discussed. The rate of recurrence of Bell's palsy during pregnancy is unknown. Treatment with corticosteroids of Bell's palsy during pregnancy poses the threat of possible side effects on the fetus.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-99
Author(s):  
Anirban Ghosh ◽  
Sankar Prasad Bera ◽  
Somnath Saha

Introduction This study on intratemporal facial paralysis is an attempt to understand the aetiology of facial nerve paralysis, effect of different management protocols and the outcome after long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from September 2005 to August 2008 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of a medical college in Kolkata comprising 50 patients of intratemporal facial palsy. All cases were periodically followed up for at least 6 months and their prognostic outcome along with different treatment options were analyzed. Result Among different causes of facial palsy, Bell’s palsy is the commonest cause; whereas cholesteatoma and granulation were common findings in otogenic facial palsy. Traumatic facial palsies were exclusively due to longitudinal fracture of temporal bone running through geniculate ganglion. Herpes zoster oticus and neoplasia related facial palsies had significantly poorer outcome. Discussion Otogenic facial palsy showed excellent outcome after mastoid exploration and facial decompression. Transcanal decompression was performed in traumatic facial palsies showing inadequate recovery. Complete removal of cholesteatoma over dehiscent facial nerve gave better postoperative recovery. Conclusion The stapedial reflex test is the most objective and reproducible of all topodiagnostic tests. Return of the stapedial reflex within 3 weeks of injury indicates good prognosis. Bell’s palsy responded well to conservative measures. All traumatic facial palsies were due to longitudinal fracture and 2/3rd of these patients showed favourable outcome with medical therapy.


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