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Acute peripheral facial palsy in adults
Unn Ljøstad1, Siri Økstad, Thom Topstad
1Dept. of Neurology, Sørlandet Sykehus HF, Kristiansand, 416, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway. unn.ljostad@sshf.no
Journal of Neurology
|March 22, 2005
Summary
Peripheral facial palsy is common with a good prognosis. Lyme disease is an infrequent cause, particularly in patients without other symptoms or neurological findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Peripheral facial palsy is a common neurological disorder.
- Understanding its causes and outcomes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather epidemiological data on peripheral facial palsy.
- Specifically, to determine the incidence and characteristics of Lyme-associated facial palsy.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of adult patients with peripheral facial palsy was studied over two years.
- Facial function was graded, and samples were tested for Borrelia burgdorferi and viral antibodies.
Main Results:
- 69 patients were included; 10% had Lyme disease, 17% viral, 4% other, and 68% Bell's palsy.
- Lyme facial palsy cases presented with neurological and constitutional symptoms.
- Complete recovery was observed in 77% of all patients.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral facial palsy generally has a favorable prognosis.
- Lyme disease is an uncommon cause of facial palsy in the absence of constitutional or neurological symptoms.