scholarly journals The Epidemiology and Management of Bell’s Palsy in the Sudan

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 827-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hassan Kamil Mustafa ◽  
Ahmed Mohammed Sulaiman

Background: Bell’s palsy is an acute idiopathic facial nerve paralysis of sudden onset. It is the most common cause of lower motor neuron facial nerve paralysis with an annual incidence of 15-30 per 100,000. The objective of this work is to study the prevalence and the management of Bell’s palsy in the Sudan. A descreptive retrospective cross-sectional study was carried at Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital, Khartoum General Teaching Hospital. In the retrospective, the records and files of 698 patients with Bell’s palsy, were reviewed in relation to age, gender, site, risk factors, season, and type of treatment. In addition, 48 patients with Bell’s palsy were evaluated using the House–Brackman scale in relation to the above-mentioned variables. Therefore, a total number of 746 cases were studied. Fifty five percent of them were females and the remaining 45% were males, around 38% of them were in the age group 21-40 year. Fifty seven percent of the patients were affected on the right side of the face. Winter was the commonest season of onset where 53.5% of the cases occurred. Steroids are the commonly prescribed drugs in majority of the cases, accounting for 47.3%. Study Design: The study is a retrospective cross sectional hospital based study. The study was carried out in Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital and in the Physiotherapy Department of Khartoum Teaching General hospital. The files and records of the patients with Bell’s palsy in Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital in the years 1/1/2004 -31/12/2008, and Khartoum Teaching General Hospital (physiotherapy department) in the years 2007- July 2009 (total number 746). Results: A total number of 746 cases were studied . Fifty five percent of them were females and the remaining 45% were male. Around 38% of them were in the group 21-40 year. Fifty seven percent of the patients were affected on the right side of the face. Winter was the commonest season of the onset where 53.5% of the cases occurred. Conclusion: The study showed predominance of females. A peak incidence was seen in the age group 21-40 years. A predilection was found for the right side of face.

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
M. B. Bharathi ◽  
Thanzeem Unisa ◽  
Swathi Chandresh ◽  
Venkatesh C. R. ◽  
Harsha S.

Abstract Introduction Bell's palsy (BP) is the common cause of facial palsy. This study aims to report and analyze the age, sex distribution, symptomatology, site of lesion, and prognosis in 101 patients with (BP). Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted at tertiary referral center, JSS Hospital, Mysuru. All patients consenting to participate in this study, of all ages, of either sex, both outpatients and inpatients with a diagnosis of BP during this study period were included. Results Of the 101 patients analyzed, maximum cases (25.7%) were in third decade of age; 55.4% were males, and both right and left sides of the face were equally involved. Maximum number of patients (50.5%) had a history of postaural pain at presentation Topodiagnostic tests showed majority of BP cases involving geniculate or suprageniculate regions (67.3%) in our study. 20.8% had lesion above the nerve to stapedius, and 11.9% had lesion below the nerve to stapedius. Electrodiagnostic test—electroneuromyography (ENMG)—was abnormal in 57 (67.1%) individuals at day 4. 50.4% of patients had a House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve grade IV at presentation. 90% of the BP group in our study recovered normal to near-normal facial nerve function by the end of 28 days’ time. Conclusion Each case of BP should be evaluated with thorough clinical examination, topodiagnostic tests, and electrodiagnostic tests. Appropriate management will help in almost full recovery of disease.


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.


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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